Cardiovascular Laboratory

Our main interest is to evaluate the effects of exercise, particularly resistance exercise, and L-citrulline supplementation on autonomic control of blood pressure, central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in individuals with chronic diseases. We use non-invasive techniques to evaluate autonomic control (heart rate variability, BP variability and baroreflex sensitivity), vasodilatory capacity (strain gauge plethysmography), stroke volume (impedance cardiography) and arterial stiffness/aortic blood pressure (pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis).

Current Projects:

1. Effects of dry apple and resistance exercise training on cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS.
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2. Effects of oral L-citrulline from watermelon and synthetic on cardiovascular function in middle-aged and older individuals with pre- and stage 1-hypertension
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3. Effects of whole-body vibration training on cardiovascular function in young individuals with pre- and stage 1-hypertension.
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In these studies, we use Pulse Wave Analysis (Sphygmocor); carotid-aortic, leg, and brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (Omron VP-2000); ECG (Biopac); and digital plethysmography (Finometer).

Graduate Students:

Derek Kingsley, Ph.D. Student, 2004-2009: American College of Sports Medicine Foundation Research Grant Award 2007 and Florida State University Research & Creativity Award 2008.

Florence Vicil, M.S., Ph.D. Student, 2007

Marcos Sanchez, M.D., Ph.D. Student, 2008

Ryan Gil, B.S., M.S. Student, 2008

Julian Trivino, B.S., M.S. Student, 2008

Selected References:

Figueroa A, Hooshmand S, Bada AM. Aortic hemodynamic and cardiovagal baroreflex responses to isometric exercise and postexercise muscle ischemia in resistance-trained men. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2009. In Press.

Figueroa A, Kingsley JD, McMillan V and Panton LB. Resistance exercise training improves heart rate variability in women with Fibromyalgia. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 28 (1):49-54, 2008. Please click here for [pdf]

Kanaley JA, Baynard T, Franklin RM, Weinstock RS, Goulopoulou S, Carhart R, Ploutz-Snyder R, Figueroa A, Fernhall B. The effects of a glucose load and sympathetic challenge on autonomic function in obese women with and without type 2 diabetes. Metabolism 56(6):778-785, 2007. Please click here for [pdf]

Figueroa A, Baynard T, Fernhall B, Carhart R and Kanaley JA. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation after brisk walking in middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 14(2):237-243, 2007. Please click here for [pdf]

Figueroa A, Baynard T, Fernhall B, Carhart R and Kanaley JA. Endurance training improves post-exercise cardiac autonomic modulation in obese women with and without type 2 diabetes. Eur J Appl Physiol 100:437-444, 2007. Please click here for [pdf]

Figueroa A, Collier S, Baynard T, Giannopoulou F, S Goulopoulou, Fernhall B. Impaired vagal modulation of heart rate in individuals with Down syndrome. Clin Autonom Res 15:45-50, 2005. Please click here for [pdf]

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