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Menopause, estrogen, and training effects on exercise hemodynamics: the HERITAGE study
John S Green1, Philip R Stanforth, Jacques Gagnon
1Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4243, USA. jsgreen@tamu.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|January 10, 2002
Summary
Hormone replacement may improve vasodilation during high-intensity exercise in postmenopausal women. Endurance exercise training benefits cardiovascular hemodynamics and oxygen uptake, largely independent of menopausal status or hormone use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Menopause significantly alters cardiovascular function.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may influence hemodynamic responses.
- Endurance exercise training is known to induce positive adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effects of menopause, HRT, and endurance exercise on cardiovascular hemodynamics.
- To assess changes in oxygen uptake parameters during exercise in different menopausal and HRT groups.
- To understand exercise adaptations in relation to menopausal status and HRT.
Main Methods:
- 338 premenopausal, 29 postmenopausal (HRT), and 28 postmenopausal (no HRT) women participated.
- Cardiovascular hemodynamics and oxygen uptake were measured at rest, submaximal, and peak exercise.
- Measurements were taken before and after a 20-week endurance exercise training program.
Main Results:
- Postmenopausal women on HRT had lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) during peak exercise.
- Menopause was linked to higher SBP at 50 W, independent of age.
- Women not on HRT experienced greater SBP reduction with training at 50 W.
Conclusions:
- HRT might provide a vasodilatory reserve during intense exercise.
- Endurance training promotes beneficial hemodynamic and oxygen uptake changes.
- These exercise-induced adaptations are generally unaffected by menopausal status or HRT.