Don D. Sheriff, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Doctoral Degree: Physiology & Biophysics
Institution: University of Washington, Seattle (1987)

Office: N-420 Field House
Office Phone: (319) 335-9485
e-mail: don-sheriff@uiowa.edu

27:090 Scientific Basis of Human Movement
27:130 Human Physiology
27:141 Exercise Physiology
27:145 Cardiovascular Physiology
27:196 Senior Seminar
27:276 Advanced Exercise Physiology
27:241 Integrative Physiology Seminar

Research Interests:

The goal of the research carried out in this laboratory is to further our understanding of the mechanisms producing the hemodynamic adjustments that accompany dynamic exercise.  The enormous increases in blood flow demanded by active muscles during dynamic exercise probably constitute the most severe challenge that is routinely imposed on the cardiovascular system.  Studies are carried out in two broad areas.  The first area focuses on mechanical (hydraulic) factors that govern the distribution and blood volume and blood flow throughout the circulatory system.  These studies investigate the physiology of the venous system, and the mechanical activity and functional importance of the skeletal muscle pump.  When and how do the mechanical (hydraulic) properties of the venous system and the muscle pump promote circulatory homeostasis during exercise? Conversely, when and how do these two factors impede circulatory homeostasis?  The second area investigates autonomic reflex control mechanisms that influence the cardiovascular adjustments to exercise.  A strong focus is placed on the muscle chemoreflex, i.e. the blood pressure-raising and blood flow-raising reflex that is triggered when metabolites accumulate within active muscle and stimulate sensory nerve leading to increases in sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve activity.  What regulatory strategies does this reflex employ and when are the used? 

Recent Publications
Sheriff D.Point: the muscle pump raises muscle blood flow during locomotion. J Appl Physiol 99: 371-375, 2005.

Tschakovsky ME and Sheriff DD. Immediate exercise hyperemia: contributions of the muscle pump vs. rapid vasodilation. J Appl Physiol 97: 739-747, 2004.

Articles
Zidon TM and Sheriff DD. Diversion of blood flow from non-compliant to compliant vasculature in awake dogs: mechanical impact on right atrial pressure. In press. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 2005.

Rogers J and Sheriff DD. Is there a threshold duration of vascular occlusion for hindlimb reactive hyperemia? J Appl Physiol 99: 1272-1277, 2005.

Rogers J and Sheriff DD. Role of estrogen in nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-dependent modulation of vascular conductance during treadmill locomotion in rats. J Appl Physiol 97: 756-763, 2004.

Sheriff DD. Hypotensive effect of push-pull gravitational stress occurs after autonomic blockade. J Appl Physiol 95: 167-171, 2003.

Sheriff DD. Muscle pump function during locomotion: mechanical coupling between stride frequency and muscle blood flow. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 284: H2185-H2191, 2003.

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