2.5. Cardiovascular Activity
CED
Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured using a Finometer (Finapres Medical Systems, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). A small cuff was placed around the intermediate phalanx of the middle finger, and continuous data were recorded via a Power1401 (CED) connected to a computer programmed in Spike2. An ambulatory monitor (VU-AMS) and 7 Ag/AgCl spot electrodes (Invisatrace, ConMed Corporation; Largo, FL, USA) recorded electrocardiographic and impedance cardiographic signals continuously, in accordance with published guidelines [