Brunel University’s ‘Frontiers in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine’ research seminar series
A question that has intrigued scientists from more than a century is how the regulatory systems controlling peripheral blood flow and cardiac function match oxygen and substrate supply to metabolic demand during exercise in humans. This question is important because human aerobic exercise capacity is closely associated with the capacity of the cardiovascular system to supply blood and oxygen to the contracting muscles, the brain and the heart.
The first seminar of the “Frontiers in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine” research seminar series considered the mechanisms regulating cardiovascular function during exercise from three viewpoints: 1) the brain as a major cardiovascular control centre, 2) the heart as a determinant of circulatory capacity, and 3) the active muscle as a primary modulator of cardiac function. Professor David Paterson of Oxford University commenced the seminar with an outstanding presentation on sites of cardiovascular control within the brain. He explained his view that there are three principal sites at which the brain can regulate the cardiovascular system (see photo below). Professor Paterson’s presentation introduced attendees to his pioneering work using deep brain stimulation to investigate neural circuits controlling cardiovascular function in humans.
Professor Rob Shave and Dr Eric Stöhr gave the second presentation focusing on the use of new cardiac imaging techniques to investigate intrinsic cardiac mechanisms contributing to circulatory control. Following lively discussion during a coffee break, Professor José González-Alonso and Dr Kam Kalsi presented evidence to support the idea that muscle-derived signals involved in the control of local circulation are also intimately involved in the coupling of muscle blood flow and cardiac output. Further lively debate followed, with the speakers and the audience discussing the relative contributions of the different mechanisms discussed, as well as identifying the key unanswered questions. A key conclusion was the need to undertake innovative experiments in exercising human beings to address big unanswered questions in physiology such as the mechanisms governing the coupling of muscle perfusion and cardiac function during exercise. This question needs to be answered at the whole body system level.
Seminar 2: Musculoskeletal system function across the lifespan
The second seminar of this series will take place on Wednesday 13 March 2012 starting at 09:30.
This seminar will focus on the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and more specifically some key biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of muscle-tendon and joint function that affect performance, control and coordination of movement as well as loading and the associated injuries. The seminar will have a particular focus on in vivo muscle-tendon biomechanics during growth in children to understand the effects of changing body dimensions on human movement efficiency and performance and the modelling of in vivo muscle-tendon and joint function to understand the loading in the musculoskeletal system and prevent injuries.
The seminar will be of interest for academics in muscle physiology and biomechanics, motor control and coordination, peadiatric exercise science, sports medicine and rehabilitation, as well as sport and exercise scientists and coaches with multidisciplinary interests working with young athletes.
09:30 Dr Thomas Korff and Dr Charlie Waugh, CSMHP, Brunel University
‘Muscle -Tendon mechanics and neuro-motor control during childhood’
10:00 Dr Tom O'Brien, Bangor University
‘Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system during maturation’
10:30 Prof Dieter Rosenbaum, Institute for Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster
‘Musculoskeletal biomechanics of the foot in children’
11:00 Prof Costis Maganaris, Liverpool John Moores University
‘Adaptations of human tendon to disuse’
11:30 Coffee Break
11:50 Prof Markus Heller, University of Southampton
‘Musculoskeletal biomechanics of the knee’
12:20 Dr Andrew Spence, Structure & Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College
‘Neuromechanics and optogenetics: Dissecting the neural and musculoskeletal contributions to locomotor control’
12:50 Prof Bill Baltzopoulos, CSMHP, Brunel University
‘In-vivo biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system’
If you wish to attend please contact us at csmhp@brunel.ac.uk
