A standardized exercise intervention differentially affects premenopausal and postmenopausal African-American women

Abstract

Objective African American women present an understudied population in menopause research, yet face greater post-menopausal challenges associated with mortality than their white peers. We investigated the effect of a mild-intensity aerobic exercise training program on markers of mortality risk in both pre- and post-menopausal African American women. Methods 16 pre- and 19 post-menopausal women underwent 6 months of mild-intensity aerobic exercise training. Measurements included markers of blood lipid and glucose profile, inflammation, kidney function, vascular health and aerobic fitness before and after the exercise intervention. Results Before the exercise intervention the pre- and post-menopausal groups only differed in terms of age, LDL, and total cholesterol levels, with the latter two being higher in the post-menopausal group. Both triglycerides and markers of early stage endothelial dysfunction (CD62E+ endothelial microparticles) improved in both groups with aerobic exercise training. Aerobic fitness, glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, plasma glucose levels, and markers of late stage endothelial dysfunction (CD31+/CD42b− endothelial microparticles) only improved in the pre-menopausal group. Conclusions Mild-intensity aerobic exercise training was successful in improving some markers of cardiovascular disease and mortality in post-menopausal women. Higher levels of exercise intensity or perhaps additional interventions may need to be considered in this population to further decrease mortality risk.

Menopause and exercise

“…101 Even small amounts of physical activity are protective against health decline in older adults. 55 Activities do not have to be done at one time, but can be spread throughout the day in shorter time allotments. Reduction in sedentary behavior (sit less, move more) in addition to the addition of light activity should be emphasized as a goal for older adults.…”

“…It is important to note, however, that although mild-intensity aerobic exercise training improves some markers of cardiovascular disease and mortality in postemenopausal women, additional markers of mortality risk (ie, aerobic fitness, glomerular filtration rate, BMI, plasma glucose dysfunction, markers of endothelial dysfunction) only improve in premenopausal African-American women. 55 Additional studies are needed to evaluate the ethnic and racial differences exercise may have on menopausal women.…”

Differential Impact of Acute High-Intensity Exercise on Circulating Endothelial Microparticles and Insulin Resistance between Overweight/Obese Males and Females

“…Circulating EMPs are increased in overweight/obese individuals with metabolic syndrome [ 32 ] and in various cardiovascular diseases [ 47 ]. Due to the benefits of exercise on endothelial function and recent evidence that traditional moderate-intensity endurance training can reduce EMP levels [ 48 – 50 ], we hypothesized that acute high-intensity exercise would lead to reduced EMPs in overweight/obese participants. Our results revealed a clear sex difference in EMP responses to exercise and this hypothesis was only supported for males.…”

“…However, the participants in this study were tested after completing several weeks of exercise training (including HIIE) and our participants were inactive prior to the experimental exercise trials. It is possible that exercise training, which is well known to improve endothelial function [ 4 ] and recently reported to reduce EMPs [ 48 – 50 ], may have reduced baseline EMPs in the fit cardiac rehabilitation patients studied by Guiraud and colleagues [ 54 ] such that acute exercise had limited effects. Future studies are needed to examine acute and chronic EMP responses to high-intensity exercise in individuals at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.…”

Effects of high-intensity training on cardiovascular risk factors in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…12 Other studies, concluding that estrogen is essential for exercise-induced improvements in risk factors for CVD, consisted of moderate-intensity walking interventions with HR between 50-65% and 65-80% of _ Vo 2max . 15,16 Earlier, we showed that floorball training, also classified as high-intensity exercise, caused an increase in _ Vo 2max among postmenopausal women. 17 Which also implies that intense exercise training Original Research GYNECOLOGY ajog.org ajog.org…”