Figure 5. Effect of blockade on change in forearm blood flow from rest to steady‐state exercise in normoxia and hypoxia.

The absolute change in forearm blood flow from rest to exercise at 20% MVC in normoxia and hypoxia in each condition was calculated using data from our previous study (A) (Crecelius et al. 2011b) and also for Protocol 1 (B) and Protocol 2 (C) of the present study. The increase in FBF during hypoxic exercise was not reduced by combined NO/PG blockade (A). Combined inhibition of NO, PGs, Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase and K_IR channels significantly reduced the change in FBF from rest to exercise in both normoxia and hypoxia by ∼20% (B), as did inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase and K_IR channels alone (C). ^* P < 0.05 vs. control (within normoxic/hypoxic condition); ^‡ P < 0.05 vs. normoxic exercise (within drug condition).