Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 40, Issue 5 725-728, Copyright © 1976 by American Physiological Society
Effect of exercise on cardiac output and distribution of uterine blood flow in pregnant ewes
L. B. Curet, J. A. Orr, H. G. Rankin and T. Ungerer
This study was designed to determine what effect physical training has on
heart rate and stroke volume responses to exercise stress and to determine
if exercise altered the distribution of uterine blood flow. Measurements
were made in ten pregnant ewes at rest and immediately following exercise
on a treadmill. Five ewes underwent physical training for 3 wk prior to
measurement. An increase in heart rate with no change in stroke volume was
observed following exercise in both trained and untrained ewes. Total
uterine blood flow was not changed following exercise, but distribution was
altered in favor of the placenta. Blood flow was evenly distributed within
the placenta before and after exercise. The redistribution of flow to the
placenta that occurs after exercise. tphe redistribution of flow to the
placenta that occurs after exercise might represent a compensatory
mechanism for the fetus.
