Central vs. peripheral determinants of sympathetic neural recruitment: insights from static handgrip exercise and postexercise circulatory occlusion

Sympathetic outflow is modified during acute homeostatic stress through increased firing of low-threshold axons, recruitment of latent axons, and synaptic delay modifications. However, the role of central mechanisms versus peripheral reflex control over sympathetic recruitment remains unknown. Here, we examined sympathetic discharge patterns during fatiguing static handgrip (SHG) exercise and post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) to study the central vs. peripheral reflex elements of sympathetic neural coding. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) was measured in six males (25 +/- 3 yr) at baseline (3 min) and during 5 min of SHG exercise completed at 20% maximal voluntary contraction. Isolation of the peripheral metaboreflex component was achieved by PECO for 3 min. Action potential (AP) patterns were studied using wavelet-based methodology. Compared with baseline, total MSNA increased by minute 3 of SHG, remaining elevated throughout the duration of exercise and PECO (all P < 0.05). The AP content per burst increased above baseline by minute 4 of SHG (Delta 4 +/- 2), remaining elevated at minute 5 (Delta 6 +/- 4) and PECO (Delta 4 +/- 4; all P < 0.05). Similarly, total AP clusters increased by minute 4 of SHG (Delta 5 +/- 5) and remained elevated at minute 5 (Delta 6 +/- 3) and PECO (Delta 7 +/- 5; all P < 0.01), indicating recruitment of latent subpopulations. Finally, the AP cluster size-latency profile was shifted downward during minutes 4 (-32 +/- 22 ms) and 5 (-49 +/- 17 ms; both P < 0.05) of SHG but was not different than baseline during PECO (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that central perceptual factors play a specific role in the synaptic delay aspect of sympathetic discharge timing, whereas peripheral reflex mechanisms affect recruitment of latent axons.