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01-07-2012 | Original Article

Skeletal muscle metaboreflex is enhanced in postmenopausal women

Authors: Hyun-Min Choi, Charles L. Stebbins, Hosung Nho, Kyung-Ae Kim, Chanho Kim, Jong-Kyung Kim

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 7/2012

Abstract

This study determined whether an elevated muscle metaboreflex contributes to the excessive blood pressure response to exercise in postmenopausal women. Thirty healthy female volunteers were studied (15 postmenopausal and 15 premenopausal). Stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and total vascular conductance (TVC) were continuously assessed throughout the experiment. To activate the muscle metaboreflex, occlusion of the vasculature was induced via inflation of a blood pressure cuff (2 min) on the upper arm following static handgrip exercise. Muscle metaboreflex activation increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) in both groups. However, this pressor response was greater in the postmenopausal women (ΔMAP: 21.4 ± 3 vs. 14.5 ± 2 mmHg) (P < 0.05) even though the corresponding increase in CO was less (ΔCO: 0.0 ± 0.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 l/min) (P < 0.05). TVC decreased in both the groups but was more pronounced in the postmenopausal group (ΔTVC: −10.7 ± 2.6 vs. −17.1 ± 3.6 ml/min/mmHg) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in postmenopausal women is mediated, in part, by an overactive metaboreflex that is associated with enhanced peripheral vasoconstriction.

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Title: Skeletal muscle metaboreflex is enhanced in postmenopausal women
Authors: Hyun-Min Choi
Charles L. Stebbins
Hosung Nho
Kyung-Ae Kim
Chanho Kim
Jong-Kyung Kim
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 7/2012
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2245-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Skeletal muscle metaboreflex is enhanced in postmenopausal women

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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