Top

European Journal of Applied Physiology

Published in:

01-05-2018 | Original Article

Menstrual phase and the vascular response to acute resistance exercise

Authors: Jacqueline A. Augustine, Kayla N. Nunemacher, Kevin S. Heffernan

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

Introduction

Aerobic exercise has a favorable effect on systemic vascular function, reducing both central (large elastic artery) and peripheral (smaller muscular artery) stiffness. The effects of resistance exercise (RE) on arterial stiffness are more complex. Acute RE increases central artery stiffness while decreasing peripheral stiffness. To date, the majority of studies have been performed in predominantly male participants.

Purpose

To examine the effect of acute RE on central and peripheral arterial stiffnesses in women, a secondary purpose was to explore the influence of cyclic changes in estrogen status across the menstrual cycle on the arterial response to acute RE.

Methods

18 healthy women [28 ± 7 years, body mass index (BMI) 22.6 ± 2.9 kg/m²] completed an acute RE bout during the early follicular and the early luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Salivary 17β-Estradiol concentration was measured during each phase, using a passive drool technique. Pulse-wave velocity (PWV) was obtained from the carotid–femoral and carotid–radial pulse sites to measure central and peripheral stiffness, respectively, using applanation tonometry. PWV was measured at rest, immediately, 10, 20, and 30 min post-RE.

Results

17β-Estradiol concentration was significantly lower in the early follicular vs. the early luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (1.78 ± 0.51 vs. 2.40 ± 0.26 pg/ml, p = 0.01). Central PWV significantly increased (p < 0.05) and peripheral PWV significantly decreased (p < 0.05) post-RE in both the early follicular and early luteal phases. No phase-by-time interaction was detected for either vascular segment (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Women experience increases in central arterial stiffness and reductions in peripheral arterial stiffness following acute RE. Menstrual cycle phase may not influence changes in arterial stiffness in response to acute RE.

Adkisson EJ, Casey DP, Beck DT, Gurovich AN, Martin JS, Braith RW (2010) Central, peripheral and resistance arterial reactivity: fluctuates during the phases of the menstrual cycle. Exp Biol Med (Maywood NJ) 235(1):111–118. https://doi.org/10.1258/ebm.2009.009186 CrossRef

Arce Esquivel AA, Welsch MA (2007) High and low volume resistance training and vascular function. Int J Sports Med 28(3):217–221. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-924291 CrossRefPubMed

Baechle TR, Earle RW (2008) Essentials of strength training and conditioning, 3rd edn. Champaign, IL. Human kinetics

Choi Y, Akazawa N, Zempo-Miyaki A, Ra SG, Shiraki H, Ajisaka R, Maeda S (2016) Acute effect of high-intensity eccentric exercise on vascular endothelial function in young men. J Strength Cond Res 30(8):2279–2285. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000536 CrossRefPubMed

Collier SR, Diggle MD, Heffernan KS, Kelly EE, Tobin MM, Fernhall B (2010) Changes in arterial distensibility and flow-mediated dilation after acute resistance vs. aerobic exercise. J Strength Cond Res 24(10):2846–2852. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e840e0 CrossRefPubMed

Cortez-Cooper MY, DeVan AE, Anton MM, Farrar RP, Beckwith KA, Todd JS, Tanaka H (2005) Effects of high intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness and wave reflection in women. Am J hypertens 18(7):930–934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjhyper.2005.01.008 CrossRefPubMed

DeVan AE, Anton MM, Cook JN, Neidre DB, Cortez-Cooper MY, Tanaka H (2005) Acute effects of resistance exercise on arterial compliance. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda Md 1985) 98(6):2287–2291. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00002.2005 CrossRef

Fahs CA, Heffernan KS, Fernhall B (2009) Hemodynamic and vascular response to resistance exercise with l-arginine. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41(4):773–779. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181909d9d CrossRefPubMed

Fok H, Guilcher A, Li Y, Brett S, Shah A, Clapp B, Chowienczyk P (2014) Augmentation pressure is influenced by ventricular contractility/relaxation dynamics: novel mechanism of reduction of pulse pressure by nitrates. Hypertension (Dallas Tex 1979) 63(5):1050–1055. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.113.02955 CrossRef

Franklin NC, Ali M, Goslawski M, Wang E, Phillips SA (2014) Reduced vasodilator function following acute resistance exercise in obese women. Front Physiol 5:253. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2014.00253 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Harris RA, Tedjasaputra V, Zhao J, Richardson RS (2012) Premenopausal women exhibit an inherent protection of endothelial function following a high-fat meal. Reprod Sci (Thousand Oaks Calif) 19(2):221–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719111418125 CrossRef

Heffernan KS, Rossow L, Jae SY, Shokunbi HG, Gibson EM, Fernhall B (2006) Effect of single-leg resistance exercise on regional arterial stiffness. Eur J Appl Physiol 98(2):185–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0259-9 CrossRefPubMed

Heffernan KS, Collier SR, Kelly EE, Jae SY, Fernhall B (2007a) Arterial stiffness and baroreflex sensitivity following bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise. Int J Sports Med 28(3):197–203. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-924290 CrossRefPubMed

Heffernan KS, Jae SY, Echols GH, Lepine NR, Fernhall B (2007b) Arterial stiffness and wave reflection following exercise in resistance-trained men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(5):842–848. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e318031b03c CrossRefPubMed

Heffernan KS, Patvardhan EA, Hession M, Ruan J, Karas RH, Kuvin JT (2010) Elevated augmentation index derived from peripheral arterial tonometry is associated with abnormal ventricular-vascular coupling. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 30(5):313–317. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-097X.2010.00943.x CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Heidenreich PA, Trogdon JG, Khavjou OA, Butler J, Dracup K, Ezekowitz MD, Finkelstein EA, Hong Y, Johnston SC, Khera A, Lloyd-Jones DM, Nelson SA, Nichol G, Orenstein D, Wilson PW, Woo YJ (2011) Forecasting the future of cardiovascular disease in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation 123(8):933–944. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31820a55f5 CrossRefPubMed

Hughes AD, Park C, Davies J, Francis D, Mc GTSA., Mayet J, Parker KH (2013) Limitations of augmentation index in the assessment of wave reflection in normotensive healthy individuals. PloS One 8(3):e59371. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059371 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Joyner MJ, Halliwill JR (2000) Neurogenic vasodilation in human skeletal muscle: possible role in contraction-induced hyperaemia. Acta Physiol Scand 168(4):481–488. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-201x.2000.00700.x CrossRefPubMed

Kingsley JD, Tai YL, Mayo X, Glasgow A, Marshall E (2017) Free-weight resistance exercise on pulse wave reflection and arterial stiffness between sexes in young, resistance-trained adults. Eur J Sport Sci 17(8):1056–1064. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2017.1342275 CrossRefPubMed

Kingwell BA, Berry KL, Cameron JD, Jennings GL, Dart AM (1997) Arterial compliance increases after moderate-intensity cycling. Am J Physiol 273(5 Pt 2):H2186-2191

Lefferts WK, Augustine JA, Heffernan KS (2014) Effect of acute resistance exercise on carotid artery stiffness and cerebral blood flow pulsatility. Front Physiol 5:101. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2014.00101 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

MacDougall JD, McKelvie RS, Moroz DE, Sale DG, McCartney N, Buick F (1992) Factors affecting blood pressure during heavy weight lifting and static contractions. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985) 73(4):1590–1597CrossRef

Mendelsohn ME, Karas RH (2005) Molecular and cellular basis of cardiovascular gender differences. Science 308(5728):1583–1587. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1112062 CrossRefPubMed

Miyachi M, Donato AJ, Yamamoto K, Takahashi K, Gates PE, Moreau KL, Tanaka H (2003) Greater age-related reductions in central arterial compliance in resistance-trained men. Hypertension (Dallas Tex 1979) 41(1):130–135CrossRef

Miyachi M, Kawano H, Sugawara J, Takahashi K, Hayashi K, Yamazaki K, Tabata I, Tanaka H (2004) Unfavorable effects of resistance training on central arterial compliance: a randomized intervention study. Circulation 110(18):2858–2863. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000146380.08401.99 CrossRefPubMed

Okamoto T, Sakamaki MS, Min SK, Yoshida S, Watanabe Y, Ogasawara R (2015) Repeated cessation and resumption of resistance training attenuates increases in arterial stiffness. Int J Sports Med 36(6):440–445. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1398584 CrossRefPubMed

Okamoto T, Kobayashi R, Sakamaki-Sunaga M (2017) Effect of resistance exercise on arterial stiffness during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Int J Sports Med 38(5):347–352. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-101377 CrossRefPubMed

Otsuki T, Maeda S, Iemitsu M, Saito Y, Tanimura Y, Ajisaka R, Miyauchi T (2007) Vascular endothelium-derived factors and arterial stiffness in strength- and endurance-trained men. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 292(2):H786-791. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00678.2006 CrossRef

Phillips SA, Das E, Wang J, Pritchard K, Gutterman DD (2011) Resistance and aerobic exercise protects against acute endothelial impairment induced by a single exposure to hypertension during exertion. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985) 110(4):1013–1020. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00438.2010 CrossRef

Raastad T, Glomsheller T, Bjoro T, Hallen J (2001) Changes in human skeletal muscle contractility and hormone status during 2 weeks of heavy strength training. Eur J Appl Physiol 84(1–2):54–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210000328 CrossRefPubMed

Seals DR, Desouza CA, Donato AJ, Tanaka H (2008) Habitual exercise and arterial aging. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985) 105(4):1323–1332. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.90553.2008 CrossRef

Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL, Balady GJ, Williams MA, Marcus BH, Berra K, Blair SN, Costa F, Franklin B, Fletcher GF, Gordon NF, Pate RR, Rodriguez BL, Yancey AK, Wenger NK (2003) Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation 107(24):3109–3116. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000075572.40158.77 CrossRefPubMed

Tinken TM, Thijssen DH, Hopkins N, Dawson EA, Cable NT, Green DJ (2010) Shear stress mediates endothelial adaptations to exercise training in humans. Hypertension (Dallas: 1979) 55(2):312–318. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.109.146282 CrossRef

Townsend RR, Wilkinson IB, Schiffrin EL, Avolio AP, Chirinos JA, Cockcroft JR, Heffernan KS, Lakatta EG, McEniery CM, Mitchell GF, Najjar SS, Nichols WW, Urbina EM, Weber T (2015) Recommendations for improving and standardizing vascular research on arterial stiffness: a scientific statement from the American heart association. Hypertension (Dallas: 1979) 66(3):pp 698–722. https://doi.org/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000033 CrossRef

Vlachopoulos C, Aznaouridis K, Stefanadis C (2010) Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 55(13):1318–1327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2009.10.061 CrossRef

Vongpatanasin W, Tuncel M, Mansour Y, Arbique D, Victor RG (2001) Transdermal estrogen replacement therapy decreases sympathetic activity in postmenopausal women. Circulation 103(24):2903–2908CrossRef

Wang M, Baker L, Tsai BM, Meldrum KK, Meldrum DR (2005) Sex differences in the myocardial inflammatory response to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metabol 288(2):E321-326. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00278.2004 CrossRef

Weber T, Wassertheurer S, Rammer M, Maurer E, Hametner B, Mayer CC, Kropf J, Eber B (2011) Validation of a brachial cuff-based method for estimating central systolic blood pressure. Hypertension (Dallas Tex 1979) 58(5):825–832. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.111.176313 CrossRef

Weber T, Wassertheurer S, Schmidt-Trucksass A, Rodilla E, Ablasser C, Jankowski P, Lorenza Muiesan M, Giannattasio C, Mang C, Wilkinson I, Kellermair J, Hametner B, Pascual JM, Zweiker R, Czarnecka D, Paini A, Salvetti M, Maloberti A, McEniery C (2017) Relationship between 24-hour ambulatory central systolic blood pressure and left ventricular mass: a prospective multicenter study. Hypertension (Dallas., Tex: 1979) 70(6):1157–1164. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.09917 CrossRef

Westerhof BE, Guelen I, Westerhof N, Karemaker JM, Avolio A (2006) Quantification of wave reflection in the human aorta from pressure alone: a proof of principle. Hypertension (Dallas Tex 1979) 48(4):595–601. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.hyp.0000238330.08894.17 CrossRef

Williams MR, Westerman RA, Kingwell BA, Paige J, Blombery PA, Sudhir K, Komesaroff PA (2001) Variations in endothelial function and arterial compliance during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol 86(11):5389–5395CrossRef

Yoon ES, Jung SJ, Cheun SK, Oh YS, Kim SH, Jae SY (2010) Effects of acute resistance exercise on arterial stiffness in young men. Korean Circ J 40(1):16–22. https://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2010.40.1.16 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Zaydun G, Tomiyama H, Hashimoto H, Arai T, Koji Y, Yambe M, Motobe K, Hori S, Yamashina A (2006) Menopause is an independent factor augmenting the age-related increase in arterial stiffness in the early postmenopausal phase. Atherosclerosis 184(1):137–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.03.043 CrossRefPubMed

Zhai P, Eurell TE, Cotthaus R, Jeffery EH, Bahr JM, Gross DR (2000) Effect of estrogen on global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in female rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279(6):H2766–2775CrossRef

Title: Menstrual phase and the vascular response to acute resistance exercise
Authors: Jacqueline A. Augustine
Kayla N. Nunemacher
Kevin S. Heffernan
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3815-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Menstrual phase and the vascular response to acute resistance exercise

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2018

The effects of two different doses of ultraviolet-A light exposure on nitric oxide metabolites and cardiorespiratory outcomes

Prescribing 6-weeks of running training using parameters from a self-paced maximal oxygen uptake protocol

Cutaneous neural activity and endothelial involvement in cold-induced vasodilatation

Foundational insights into the estimation of whole-body metabolic rate

Acute effects of unilateral static stretching on handgrip strength of the stretched and non-stretched limb

The sag response in human muscle contraction