Work

Priming of human skeletal muscle microcirculation is intensity-dependent and sex-specific

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study provides novel evidence that the priming effect is detectable in human skeletal muscle microcirculation and is both intensity-dependent and sex-specific during rhythmic handgrip exercise. Using DCS-NIRS to assess microvascular perfusion (rBFI) and oxygen utilization (rMRO 2 ), priming-related facilitation occurred in males at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, whereas in females clearer between-bout increases in rBFI and rMRO 2 emerged at 50%, with oxygenation and extraction indices during exercise ([Formula: see text] and rOEF) showing limited differences.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00123.2026

Authors: Haruka Mizuno, Mikie Nakabayashi, Yumie Ono, Masashi Ichinose

Institutions: Meiji University, Niigata University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular and exercise physiology

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science