Integrated cardiovascular physiology: a laboratory exercise.

Examining the hemodynamic responses to exercise provides a unique opportunity to analyze and integrate cardiovascular physiology because more is learned about how a system operates when it is forced to perform than when it is idle. We designed a laboratory exercise that examines the cardiovascular responses to exercise in a sedentary individual, an athlete, an individual with quadriplegia, and an individual with heart transplantation. The special populations were chosen because of their unique limitations and adaptations, which directly influence cardiovascular function. Basic anatomic and physiological data about the special populations are provided, and the students are challenged to analyze and assimilate information from figures, answer questions, make calculations, and plot graphs. The answers to the questions are provided in the APPENDIX. This laboratory exercise should be attempted in a group to foster discussions and interactions. The laboratory does not require any equipment or software. This exercise should be attempted after the cardiovascular section of the physiology course so that the students can integrate and apply the information presented during the course.