Figure 3. Exercise amplifies peak ACh‐mediated vasodilatation.

The change in forearm vascular conductance (FVC) in response to ACh during saline control, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (high flow control) and mild intensity exercise (5% MVC) before and after inhibition of inwardly rectifying potassium (K_IR) channels with barium chloride (BaCl₂). A, exercise significantly augments peak ACh‐mediated ΔFVC relative to saline and high flow control (SNP) conditions. B and C, inhibition of K_IR channels significantly increased the peak vasodilatory response to ACh during saline and high flow (SNP) conditions relative to control conditions, although inhibition of K_IR channels prevented the exercise‐induced amplification of ACh‐mediated vasodilatation (P = 0.07). ^*P < 0.05 vs. saline within condition; ^† P < 0.05 vs. SNP within condition; ^‡ P < 0.05 vs. respective control condition; ^# P = 0.07 vs. 5% MVC in control conditions.