Mechanisms of autonomic cardiovascular adjustments during exercise and stress

Abstract

During exercise, sympathetic nerve activity is increased while parasympathetic nerve activity is decreased. Two theories have been proposed as mechanisms underlying autonomic cardiovascular adjustments to excise, namely exercise pressor reflex and central command. The exercise pressor reflex is activated by excitation of muscle afferent nerves due to contraction. Central command is a neural drive that arises from the central area in the brain and regulates both somatomotor and autonomic nervous systems. Psychological stress is also associated with autonomic changes including blood pressure elevation and thermogenesis. It should be noted, however, that the characteristics of autonomic responses and their mechanisms likely differ between exercise and stress. Here, we review the study history for understandings of mechanisms underlying autonomic nervous system changes during exercise or stress, thereby discuss recent knowledge as well as future research direction.