Maximal heart rate does not limit cardiovascular capacity in healthy humans: insight from right atrial pacing during maximal exercise

Gregers D W Munch, Jesper H Svendsen, Rasmus Damsgaard, Niels H Secher, José González-Alonso, Stefan P Mortensen

    53 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In humans, maximal aerobic power (VO2max) is associated with a plateau in cardiac output (Q), but the mechanisms regulating the interplay between maximal heart rate (HRmax) and stroke volume (SV) are unclear. To evaluate the effect of tachycardia and elevations in HRmax on cardiovascular function and capacity during maximal exercise in healthy humans, twelve young male cyclists performed incremental cycling and one-legged knee-extensor exercise (KEE) to exhaustion with and without right atrial pacing to increase HR. During control cycling, Q and leg blood flow increased up to 85% of maximal workload (WLmax) and remained unchanged until exhaustion. SV initially increased, plateaued and then decreased before exhaustion (P
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalThe Journal of physiology
    Volume592
    Pages (from-to)377-390
    ISSN0022-3751
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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