During exercise, how is peripheral resistance modulated in active muscles versus nonessential tissues?

During exercise, how is peripheral resistance modulated in active muscles versus nonessential tissues?

• A. Resistance increases in active muscles via vasodilation
• B. Resistance decreases in active muscles via vasodilation
• C. Resistance increases in nonessential tissues via vasoconstriction
• D. Resistance remains unchanged during exercise

Answer: (B)

During exercise, active muscles demand more blood, so their arterioles dilate, lowering peripheral resistance in those areas and increasing blood flow to meet the oxygen and nutrient needs. At the same time, nonessential tissues are more tightly constricted by sympathetic signals, raising their vascular resistance to redirect blood toward the working muscles. This combination means resistance decreases in active muscles via vasodilation.

During exercise, active muscles demand more blood, so their arterioles dilate, lowering peripheral resistance in those areas and increasing blood flow to meet the oxygen and nutrient needs. At the same time, nonessential tissues are more tightly constricted by sympathetic signals, raising their vascular resistance to redirect blood toward the working muscles. This combination means resistance decreases in active muscles via vasodilation.