Vascular Health Laboratory

The research interests of our group focus on the links between vascular health, blood flow regulation and muscle function.  Our studies include a variety of techniques aimed at measuring vessel stiffness, vasodilatory capacity, endothelial function, blood flow and autonomic function in both healthy and diseased populations.

Current Projects

The list of projects below are currently in the state of data collection or manuscript preparation.

Peripheral Vascular Function in Parkinson’s Disease
Although it is well established that individuals with PD have autonomic dysfunction that negatively impacts blood flow and blood pressure regulation, it is currently unknown if they also have peripheral vascular dysfunction.  The goal of this current study is to determine if peripheral vascular dysfunction is present in those with PD and, if so, determine if it can be reversed with antioxidant supplementation.

Does stroke induced limb paralysis result in peripheral vascular dysfunction?
It is well established that physical activity promotes vascular health.  Following a stroke a limb can become partially or completely paralyzed limiting the limb-specific physical activity.  The purpose of this investigation is to determine if this physical inactivity results in vascular dysfunction within that limb.

Exercise modalities to improve blood flow in the lower limbs of those with spinal cord injuries.
There are multiple complications associated with spinal cord injuries that could be reversed with improved blood flow and tissue perfusion within the lower limbs.  The purpose of this investigation is to determine the efficacy of passive limb movement and upper body exercise to increase lower limb tissue perfusion in those with SCI and to determine if blood flow and tissue perfusion is moderated by the degree of autonomic control within the lower limbs.

Single-leg cycling: Implications for rehabilitation
Our recent investigation revealed that blood flow to the active limb is much greater during single-leg cycling compared to typical double-leg cycling.  As a result,  the individual can perform at a much greater limb specific workload during single-leg cycling.  This series of investigations is aimed at determining the role that single-leg cycling may have to improve performance and function in both highly trained and diseased populations.

Recent Publications

Student authors indicated in bold font

  1. Harper S, Peters F, Pollock B, Burns K, McDaniel J, Ridgel A.  Design of an Eccentric Recumbent Ergometer to Elicit Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Research Directs in Health Sciences 1:1 (2021)
  2. Fischer S, McDaniel J, Stavres J.  The cardiometabolic responses to eccentric resistance exercise are attenuated compared to load matched concentric and traditional resistance exercise.   Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 4(1): 2, 2021
  3. LaScola P, Heidorn CE, Pollock B, Burns K, McDaniel J. Physiological Responses to Counterweighted Single-Leg Cycling in Older Males.  Int J Exerc Sci. 13(2):1487-1500, 2020.
  4. Bagley MC, Harper SA, McDaniel J, Custer L. Single leg aerobic capacity and strength in individuals with surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligaments. Phys Ther Sport. 46:131-136, 2020.
  5. Singer TJ, Stavres J, Elmer SJ, Kilgas MA, Pollock BS, Kearney SG, McDaniel J. Knee extension with blood flow restriction: Impact of cuff pressure on hemodynamics. Eur J Appl Physiol. 120(1):79-90, 2020.
  6. Lemmer DP, Alvarado N, Henzel K, Richmond MA, McDaniel J, Graebert J, Schwartz K, Sun J, Bogie KM. What Lies Beneath: Why Some Pressure Injuries May Be Unpreventable for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 100(6):1042-1049, 2019.
  7. Stavres J, Fischer SM, McDaniel J. Exaggerated post exercise hypotension following concentric but not eccentric resistance exercise: Implications for metabolism.  Eur J Sport Sci, 19(7): 9683-993, 2019.
  8. Harper SA, Bagley MC, Custer L, McDaniel J. Comparison of Peak Torque and Aerobic Capacity Asymmetries in the Lower Limbs.  Journal of Exercise and Nutrition 2(1): 5, 2019.
  9. Draper S, Kearney S, McDaniel J.  Greater Reliance on Carbohydrates during Single Leg Versus Double Leg Cycling.  Journal of Exercise and Nutrition 2(2):9, 2019.
  10. Kilgas MA, McDaniel J, Stavres J, Pollock BS, Singer TJ, Elmer SJ.  Limb blood flow and tissue perfusion during exercise with blood flow restriction.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 119(2):377-387, 2019.
  11. Stavres J, Singer TJ, Brochetti A, Kilbane M, Brose S, McDaniel J.  The Feasibility of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise in Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.  PM&R. 10(12):1368-1379, 2018.
  12. Burns KJ, Pollock BS, Stavres J, Kilbane M, Brochetti A, McDaniel J. Passive limb movement intervals results in repeated hyperemic responses in those with paraplegia. Spinal Cord. 56(10):940-948, 2018.
  13. McDaniel J, Lombardo LM, Foglyano KM, Marasco PD, Triolo R.  Cycle Training Using Implanted Neural Prostheses: Team Cleveland.  Eur J Transl Myol.  6;27(4):7087, 2017.
  14. McDaniel J, Lombardo LM, Foglyano KM, Marasco PD, Triolo RJ.  Setting the pace: insights and advancements gained while preparing for an FES bike race.  J Neuroeng Rehabil. Nov 17;14(1):118, 2017.
  15. Burns KJ, Pollock BS, McDaniel J.  The cardiovascular response to passive limb movement in joint dependent.  Physiol. Rep. Mar;4(5). pii: e12721. 4(5):e12721, 2016.

Student Presentations

  1. Dulaney C, Singer T, Lombardo L, Foglyano F, McDaniel J.  Cardiovascular Dynamics Response to Functional Electrical Stimulated Rowing in an Individual with Leukodystrophy: A Case Study.  Presented at 2019 MWACSM Annual Meeting. Oak Hill, IL.
  2. Draper S, Singer T, Dulaney C, Kearney S, McDaniel J. Physiological responses to single and double leg submaximal cycling in normoxia and hypoxia. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, June 2019.
  3. Dulaney CS, Draper SE, Singer TJ, McDaniel J. Oxygenated Tissue response to Single and Double-Leg Maximal Cycling in Normoxia and Hypoxia. Poster presented at the CSEP Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON. Poster presented at the 2018 CSEP Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON.
  4. Singer TJ, Stavers J, Kilgas M, Elmer S, McDaniel J. Influence of Cuff Pressures on Blood Flow During Knee Extension Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction During and After Exercise. Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, Toronto Ontario, Nov 2018.
  5. Draper S and McDaniel J. Blood Glucose Control Following Single-Leg and Double-Leg Cycling: College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 2018).
  6. Kearney S, Singer T, Stavres J, Elmer SJ, Kilgas M, McDaniel J. Influence of Cuff Pressure on Cardiovascular Responses to Knee Extension Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction. College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 2018).
  7. KJ Burns, BS Pollock, J Stavres, J McDaniel Repeated Bouts of Passive Limb Movement Result in a Sustained Hyperemic Response in Those with Paraplegia: College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 2018).
  8. Singer TJ, Stavers J, Kilgas M, Elmer S, McDaniel J. Various cuff pressures during blood flow restriction exercise on blood flow during and after exercise. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 2018.
  9. Stavres J, Fischer S, McDaniel J. Post exercise hypotension and blood flow characteristics following eccentric and concentric exercise. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2017.
  10. Pollock BS, Petersen J, Calvo D, Gerhart G, McDaniel J, Spitznagel MB, and Ridgel A. The effects of water aerobics exercise on cerebral perfusion in multiple sclerosis.  American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2017.
  11. Fischer S, J Stavres and J McDaniel.  Metabolic differences between a bout of eccentric, concentric and traditional resistance exercise. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2017.
  12. Pollock BS, Burns KJ, Boka K, Ridgel A and J McDaniel. Vascular function in Parkinson’s disease patients.  World’s Parkinson Congress, Portland, OR, September 2016.
  13. McDaniel J, PV LaScola, KJ Burns and BS Pollock.  Comparing the Physiological Responses to Single and Double Leg Cycling in Older Individuals.  Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 48(5S) Supplement. 63rd Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Boston, MA., 2016.

Equipment

EquipmentThe vascular lab is equipped with GE logic 7 Doppler/ultrasound, BMEYE nexfin beat by beat blood pressure monitor, Moor LDF2 skin Doppler flow and temperature unit, Artinis NIRS tissue oxygenation unit, ADinstruments 8 channel data acquisition unit that includes EMG, ECG and grip strength transducer, stryker stretcher, lower body negative pressure box, velotron cycle ergometer and monark cycle ergometers equipped with SRM power meter.

Contact

If you want to learn more about the vascular health lab, please contact Dr. McDaniel at jmcdani5@kent.edu or 330-672-0802.