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A study compared components of insulin resistance syndrome between 75 adults with Down syndrome and 70 with mental retardation. Women with Down syndrome had lower fasting plasma glucose and lower systolic blood pressure than comparison women. Men with Down syndrome had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than comparison men. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Determined the effects of brief hypoperfusion-hyperemia (by femoral cuff occlusion) on repetitive vertical jump performance among recreationally trained men and women. Results indicated that in a protocol of maximal repetitive vertical jumps, the power output declined by approximately 20 percent. Hypoperfusion- hyperemia had no significant effect on vertical jumping power output. (SM)

Presents a laboratory exercise designed to introduce students to the hemodynamic variables (heart rate, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and compliance) that alter arterial pressure. (Author/CCM)

Introduces the freshwater oligochaete worm, lumbriculus variegatus (common name: blackworms), an organism that is well suited for classroom study because of its closed circulatory system. Describes a set of simple, fast, noninvasive, and inexpensive methods for observing pulsations of the worm's dorsal blood vessels under baseline conditions, and follows treatment with nicotine and caffeine, two well-known pharmacological agents. (CCM)

Blood samples were obtained from 10 male autistic children, ages 7-15 years, and 10 controls. The children with autism had a lower percentage of helper-inducer cells and a lower helper:suppressor ratio, with both measures inversely related to the severity of autistic symptoms. (Author/DB)

The Heart Adventures Challenge Course teaches students about the circulatory system's design and functions, taking them through a model of the circulatory system in the gym. The article provides detailed instructions for presenting the unit. It describes how the course was developed and taught in a middle school. (SM)

Several topics such as heart disease, strokes, biochemical reactions, blood components, and genetics can be related to blood clotting. Introduces a simple, safe and inexpensive hands-on demonstration using bovine (cattle) blood plasma of normal and abnormal coagulation. (ZWH)

Presents a series of activities and a discussion of William Harvey's research to help students understand blood circulation. (PR)

The study, with 61 Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) adult subjects, found that macrocytosis in the absence of anemia was virtually universal and erythrocyte survival half-time was shorter than normal. Findings suggest that erythrocytes have a younger mean age in persons with Down Syndrome, possibly indicating an accelerated aging process of red blood cells. (DB)

Fourteen emotionally disturbed junior high students and 16 regular education students were exposed to 2 experimental conditions with white and Baker-Miller pink visual stimuli. Analysis revealed significant differences on systolic and diastolic blood pressure but not on pulse, grip strength, nor the Digit-Symbol test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. (Author/JDD)

Blood pressure and pulse are measured in supine and upright positions, and certain differences between the values are said to indicate fluid volume disturbance. Most discussions of this "orthostatic test" do not explain how it should be done, and they differ from what has been observed in a practice setting. (MLW)

Presents an exercise to demonstrate two fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics: the Reynolds number and the Principle of Continuity. The exercise demonstrates flow in a major blood vessel, such as the aorta, with and without a stenosis. Students observe the transition from laminar to turbulent flow as well as downstream persistence of turbulence. (Author/AIM)

Presents a laboratory experiment designed to help students understand the concept of diastolic blood pressure, the pressure during which the left ventricle of the heart is not contracting. Examines the effect of strenuous exercise on blood pressure. Includes materials needed, procedures, results, and discussion of the results. (MDH)

Describes a computer program allowing students to study such circulatory variables as venus return, cardiac output, mean circulatory filling pressure, resistance to venous return, and equilibrium point. Documentation for this Applesoft program (or diskette) is available from author. (JM)

Reports findings of a study on children's perceptions and alternate conceptions about the human circulatory system. Summarizes the responses of fifth and eighth grade students on questions dealing with the heart and blood. Offers examples of hands-on activities and confrontation strategies that address common misconceptions on circulation. (ML)

One hundred twenty-six rats were studied to determine the effects of exercise, high altitude, and age upon right and left ventricular mass. Chronically hypoxic rats had significantly larger right ventricles but significantly smaller left ventricles than exercised or control rats. (Author/MT)

Explains the principles of the Doppler ultrasound technique and reviews its potential applications to the teaching of cardiovascular physiology. Identifies the instrumentation needed for this technique; provides examples and illustrations of the waveforms from the ultrasound blood velocimeter. (ML)

The physiologic and metabolic adjustments of the body to a single endurance exercise session are analyzed in terms of the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and oxygen delivery to the muscles. Patients with cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular diseases are compared to normal individuals. (Author/MT)

Describes the construction and use of a life-size model which shows blood flow under normal and pathological conditions. Four experimental procedures (single vessel occlusion, dilation of distal vascular bed, single artery stenosis, and multiple artery stenoses) typical of those demonstrated by the model are discussed and diagrammed. (DH)

Describes an oxygen transport model computer program (written in Applesoft BASIC) which uses such variables as amount of time lapse from beginning of the simulation, arterial blood oxygen concentration, alveolar oxygen pressure, and venous blood oxygen concentration and pressure. Includes information on obtaining the program and its documentation. (JN)

Research was conducted to determine the effects of two doses of caffeine on the lactate threshold and also to examine the effects on substrate utilization during incremental cycle ergometry. Results found that caffeine increased heart rates and free fatty acid levels for all workloads and decreased blood lactate levels at some of the workloads. (Author/CB)

This cross-sectional study determined which anthropometric, dietary, and physical fitness variables were the best predictors of blood pressure in 323 white elementary school children. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Continuous passive motion (CPM) tables, originally developed as therapeutic tools, are becoming popular in health salons in spite of the fact that they offer little to healthy people in terms of inch loss, circulaiton, and flexibility. (Author/CB)

A study of effects of squatting exercise on heart rate and blood lactate levels in trained and untrained males indicated that trained subjects performed more work and had higher heart rates and lactate levels at exhaustion untrained subjects, though heart rate and lactate levels were lower for trained subjects at a given bar mass or submaximal work load. (Author/CB)

Nine 18- to 29-year-old females were studied while jogging and skipping at treadmill speeds of 4.0, 4.8, and 5.4 miles per hour. Comparison of metabolic demand, musculoskeletal stress, and perceived exertion indicated skipping imposed significantly greater metabolic demands and caused higher heart rates than jogging. Skipping was also rated more stressful to the legs and ankles and less enjoyable. (Author/CB)

This study examining the effect of a 10-week hydraulic resistance exercise program on serum androgen levels, strength, and lean body weight in 18 college women revealed that training did not result in significant increases in androgen hormones, although there were significant gains in strength. (Author/CB)

Explains how a flashlight can be used to introduce a unit on blood, muscles, and bones for elementary science students. Describes activities which focus on anatomical features. Includes a diagram of a paper hand which is used in one of the investigations. (ML)

The exploratory study examined patterns of regional cerebral blood flow in a surface and a deep dyslexic during reading. Significant differences in gray matter blood flow were found between subjects and normal controls. Also differences existed between the surface and deep dyslexic in the distribution of cortical perfusion. (Author/DB)

Much controversy surrounds the practice of doping the blood of athletes (the practice of introducing additional blood into a normal, healthy system). (MM)