Hemodynamic response of normal men to graded treadmill exercise

The physiologic variables defining the circulatory and respiratory state in normal man have been measured in recumbency, standing at rest and during progressively severe grades of exercise approaching near-maximal levels. Indicator-dilution technique was used for determination of cardiac output with simultaneous radio-electrocardiographic recordings of heart rate. Direct intra-arterial pressure measurements were utilized for calculation of peripheral vascular resistance. Minute volume of ventilation, oxygen utilization, and carbon dioxide elimination were obtained from analysis of expired air collected at the time of each cardiac output determination. A peak mean workload of 1,501 kg-m/min was realized during the treadmill exercise. Increases in cardiac output over the range of exercise employed correlated well with indices of workload such as heart rate, oxygen utilization, and minute volume of ventilation. There was no correlation of stroke volume with these indices. It is concluded from examination of individual stroke-volume responses that a progressive increase in stroke volume is not a necessary or constant phenomenon in adapting to increasing workload. cardiac output in treadmill exercise; dye-dilution cardiac output determinations; arterial pressure during upright exercise; stroke-volume response to graded treadmill exercise; exercise response of cardiac output and stroke volume; peripheral vascular resistance response to position and exercise; treadmill exercise—effects on cardiac output, stroke volume, and oxygen uptake; minute ventilation, cardiac output, and stroke volume during exercise; carbon dioxide elimination during treadmill exercise; heart rate and cardiac output during treadmill exercise; exercise; physiology Submitted on July 12, 1963