ABSTRACT

　Interval exercise has been evaluated as more effective than continuous exercise in improving cardiovascular function in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Previous research has confirmed that interval exercise leads to increased vascular shear stress related to endothelial function compared to continuous exercise. However, it is unclear whether interval exercise truly improves cerebral endothelial function and reduces the risk of cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate whether interval exercise do not only increase cerebral vascular shear rate （SR） but also improves cerebral endothelial function compared to continuous exercise. Seven healthy men （mean age 21±0.6 years） participated in the experiment, performing 32 minutes of interval cycling exercise and an equal amount of continuous exercise using a semirecumbent exercise bike. Cerebral endothelial function （cFMD） was measured and evaluated before exercise （pre），15 minutes after exercise, and 40 minutes after exercise. cFMD was assessed by ultrasound, calculating the maximum dilation rate （△%） of the internal carotid artery diameter in response to a 30-second hypercapnic exposure with a partial pressure of carbon dioxide increase of approximately 9 mmHg from baseline. The results showed that cFMD did not change from baseline after both interval and continuous exercise trials, with no significant differences observed between conditions（15 minutes post-exercise, 7.47±4.92% vs. 5.66±4.21%; 40 minutes postexercise, 5.91±4.01% vs. 6.16±2.26%; p = 0.442）．This study did not find evidence for the beneficial effects of interval exercise on cerebral endothelial function.

DECENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.46/The DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE