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Impaired vascular function is a significant factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered that extended periods of sitting negatively affect the cutaneous vasodilation capacity of the forearm. Moreover, they found that alternating local cooling and heating of the skin can counteract this functional decline, enhancing the responsiveness of cutaneous vasoconstriction.
In today’s world, sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common, with prolonged sitting becoming a regular part of many people’s routines. This behavior is particularly concerning due to its adverse effects on health, particularly in terms of vascular function, which plays a vital role in cardiovascular health. While previous research has indicated that long periods of sitting can impair vascular function in the lower limbs, the effects on upper body regions, such as the forearm, have received less attention. To address this gap, the researchers aimed to investigate how prolonged sitting affects forearm cutaneous vascular function and whether alternating skin temperatures could provide a mitigating effect.
The study involved 11 healthy young adults who sat for a total of 75 minutes, during which researchers alternated the skin temperature at four different sites on the forearm. The results indicated that extended sitting did indeed impair the function of forearm cutaneous vasodilation. However, this negative impact could be reduced by the application of alternating local skin cooling and heating. Interestingly, while prolonged sitting did not significantly affect the forearm cutaneous vasoconstriction function, the alternating temperatures did enhance this aspect.
These findings suggest that implementing alternating local cooling and heating could be a practical method to help preserve cutaneous vascular function during periods of extended sitting. Such insights could pave the way for innovative strategies aimed at preventing the deterioration of vascular function, with practical applications including modulation of ambient temperatures.
This research received funding from Fujitsu General Co., Ltd.
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