PEAK EXERCISE HEMODYNAMICS IN EXERCISING POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN TAKING VERSUS NOT TAKING SUPPLEMENTAL ESTROGEN

The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplemental estrog en influences cardiovascular hemodynamics at peak exercise in enduranc e trained and sedentary postmenopausal women. Subjects were 22 women b etween 3 and 10 yr past menopause who had engaged in endurance exercis e at least three times per week for one or more years. Twelve of the w omen had taken estrogen replacement for at least 1 yr (ER) while the o ther 10 had never taken supplemental estrogen (NOER). Peak cardiac out put ((Q)over dot(peak)) and, subsequently, peak cardiac index ((Q)over dot I-peak) were calculated by regressing submaximal cardiac output v alues on corresponding oxygen consumptions and extrapolating to peak e xercise. Peak oxygen consumption in the two groups were almost identic al; however, the ER group demonstrated a higher (Q)over dot I-peak in conjunction with a lower arteriovenous oxygen difference and a lower p eripheral resistance. it was concluded that estrogen supplementation m ay be associated with higher peak cardiac outputs in exercise trained postmenopausal women via alterations in the peripheral vascular and ox ygen kinetic responses to maximal exercise.