Aortic reservoir function, estimated myocardial demand and coronary perfusion pressure following steady-state and interval exercise

Summary Aortic reservoir function is a measure of the aorta's ability to distribute blood during diastole, attenuating the pulsatility of blood flow, and is important in balancing cardiac flow. Effects of acute high versus moderate exercise intensity on reservoir function and cardiac energetics is unknown. Eighteen athletes completed a interval (INT) and steady‐state (SS) cycling bout at 60% of VO2 peak. Reservoir function was calculated as the ratio of diastolic run‐off to stroke volume and expressed as a percentage. Coronary perfusion pressure was derived from tissue Doppler imaging and echocardiography. Systolic tension–time integral (TTI) from the aortic pressure waveform served as a measure of myocardial oxygen consumption. All measures were made at rest, 30‐min postexercise and 60‐min postexercise. Average reservoir function before SS was 76%, which was reduced to 62% 30‐min post‐SS and 67% 60‐min post‐SS (P