The Relationship between Inferior Vena Cava Distensibility and Arterial Blood Pressure

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the inferior vena cava distensibility and blood pressure. Six Japanese healthy males volunteered to participate in this study. We measured the cross-sectional area of inferior vena cava (CSAivc) and blood pressure at rest and during passive leg raising in supine position. We calculated the change rates of each parameter, based on the value at rest in supine position. We observed a negative correlation between the change rate of CSAivc and systolic blood pressure (P<0.05). These results suggest that the inferior vena cava distensibility affects partially systolic blood pressure

Effects of Eating or Skipping Breakfast on Heart Rate and Oxygen Uptake

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in heart rate, oxygen uptake, blood pressure and oral temperature between subjects eating breakfast and subjects skipping breakfast when they exercise each day at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The study design included two different groups, a breakfast group and a skipping group. Subjects rested for five minutes, and they exercised on a pendulum ergometer for twenty minutes. After exercising, the resistance was returned to zero for a one minute cool down followed by five more minutes of complete rest(recovery phase). Oral temperatures of the skipping group were lower than those of the breakfast group at 11:00 AM. Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT), which increases core body temperature, is generated by eating breakfast. In the skipping group, the resting heart rates at 11:00 AM were lower than at 2:00 PM. A significant difference in heart rate after the first minute of exercise was seen between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the skipping group. These results suggested that when skipping breakfast, the heart rate response immediately after beginning exercise is slow in the morning. Although all subjects did cooling down for one minute after exercising, oxygen uptake during the recovery phase in the skipping group at 11:00 AM was significantly higher than at rest. These results suggest that eating breakfast has a physiological influence on both heart rate and oxygen uptake

Effect of Environmental Change while Climbing Mt. Daisen on Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume % in Young Women

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of environmental change while climbing Mt. Daisen on forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume % in young women in summer. Seven healthy Japanese women (age: 22.6 ± 4.2 years) volunteered to climb Mt. Daisen (1,709m), located in Tottori prefecture, in August. Participants\u27 expiratory forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume % (FEV_%) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO_2) were measured at 4 points (Ground: 10m, Rest point: 780m, Summit: 1,709m, Goal point: 780m). The measurements were conducted soon after the subjects\u27 arrival at each point. The degree of dyspnea sensation was measured at Ground, Rest point, Goal point and at each station. There were no significant changes in FVC. FEV_% at the summit was significantly lower than at the Ground and Rest point. No significant differences were found in SpO_2 at each measuring point. The degree of dyspnea sensation at each station soon after the subjects\u27 arrival was significantly higher than those at the Rest point. The results of this study indicated mild airway contraction induced by stresses on the respiratory system from increasing exercise intensity during an ascent of Mt. Daisen