This study was performed to determine whether exercise produces vasodilatation in regions of the brain that are associated with motor functions despite the associated vasoconstrictor effect of hypocapnia. Total and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were measured with microspheres in dogs during treadmill exercise of moderate intensity. Flow was also measured at rest after stimulation of ventilation with doxapram. During moderate exercise, total CBF was not changed significantly, but regional flow was increased in structures associated with motor-sensory control; blood flow to motor-sensory cortex, neocerebellar and paleocerebellar cortex, and spinal cord increased 30 +/- 7%, 39 +/- 8%, and 29 +/- 4%, respectively (P less than 0.05). After doxapram, which increased arterial blood pressure and decreased arterial PCO2 to levels similar to those during exercise, total CBF decreased and there was no redistribution of CBF. These results indicate that exercise in conscious dogs increases blood flow in regions of the brain associated with movement despite the associated vasoconstrictor stimulus of arterial hypocapnia. Thus, during exercise, local dilator influences that presumably result from increases in metabolism predominate over a potent constrictor stimulus in regulation of cerebral vascular resistance.