Beyond 'Fight or Flight’: The Vagus Nerve's Fitness Connection
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Researchers at the University of Auckland have uncovered a fresh perspective on the vagus nerve, known for its role in 'resting and digesting.' Traditionally associated with downtime, it turns out this nerve is a key player in exercise, aiding the heart in pumping blood and delivering oxygen during physical activity.
Common belief in exercise science suggests that the 'fight or flight' sympathetic nervous system takes charge during workouts, while the 'rest and digest' parasympathetic system takes a back seat. However, Associate Professor Rohit Ramchandra and his team challenged this idea. In a study using advanced techniques on exercising sheep, they discovered that the parasympathetic vagal nerves actually become more active during exercise.
As the heart pumps significantly more blood per minute during exercise, it needs extra support. The study suggests that increased activity in the vagal nerves provides this support, ensuring a higher blood flow to meet the heart's increased workload. The autonomic nervous system, which includes both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, collaborates to enhance the heart's efficiency during exercise.
The research also explored the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a substance released by the vagus nerve during exercise. While previous studies focused on acetylcholine, this research shed light on the significance of VIP, not just for digestion but also for exercise.
This study, conducted on sheep due to their physiological similarities to humans, has potential applications in heart-related conditions like heart failure. The researchers see an opportunity to improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients by leveraging this newfound understanding of the vagus nerve's role. While the study didn't delve into anxiety, the known link between vagus activity and heart rate suggests potential benefits for overall well-being through regular exercise.
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