Catecholamines and metabolic responses to submaximal exercise in untrained men and women

The influence of exercise on blood borne substrates in relation to plasma catecholamine (CA) levels has been studied in untrained subjects (eight men and eight women). Subjects pedalled a bicycle ergometer for 20 min at a workload approximating to 80% maximal aerobic power. During exercise women reacted similarly to men except that their weight loss and hematocrit were significantly lower. At the end of the bicycling test, plasma dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations increased similarly in both groups. There was no significant difference in blood energy substrates between men and women except that the plasma free fatty acid (FFA) level was significantly higher in the female. When fitness levels were similar, the previously reported sex-related difference in response to exercise seemed to disappear. The lack of correlation between blood borne substrates variations and CA changes raised the question whether other hormonal factors combined with CA could play a role in the mobilization of energy substrates during exercise.