Exercise-induced vasodilation is associated with menopause stage in healthy middle-aged women

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Jun;37(3):418-24. doi: 10.1139/h2012-015. Epub 2012 Apr 10.

Abstract

Leg exercise hemodynamics during single-leg knee extensions were compared among healthy groups of early perimenopausal (n = 15), late perimenopausal (n = 12), and early postmenopausal (n = 11) women. Femoral blood flow (FBF) and vascular conductance (FVC) at rest and during very light work rates (0 and 5 W) were similar among all three menopause stage groups. Vascular responses at 10 W (FBF) and 20 W (FBF and FVC) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in early perimenopausal compared with late perimenopausal women. At 15 and 25 W, FBF and FVC were similar between late perimenopausal and early postmenopausal groups but higher (P < 0.05) in early perimenopausal women as compared with the other two menopausal groups. In the combined sample of all three menopause stage groups, follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly correlated with vascular conductance during submaximal (15 W) exercise (R = -0.56, P < 0.001), even after adjustment for age, fitness, LDL cholesterol, and abdominal fat (R = -0.46, P = 0.005). Collectively, these findings suggest that in middle-aged women, there is an association between menopause stage and leg vascular responsiveness during exercise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test / methods
  • Female
  • Femoral Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Artery / physiology
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / blood
  • Knee Joint / physiology
  • Leg / blood supply
  • Leg / physiology
  • Menopause / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Reference Values
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Vasodilation / physiology*
  • Women's Health

Substances

  • Estradiol
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone