Effects Of Resistance Exercise Training On Estradiol, Gh, Igf-1, Dhea-s, And Blood Pressure In Postmenopausal Women With Stage 1 Hypertension

Abstract

PURPOSE: Menopause is often accompanied by decreased estradiol, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-s) and increased blood pressure (BP), which may collectively increase risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is important to combat the negative effects on estradiol, GH, IGF-1, DHEA-s, and BP by incorporating appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise. We sought to examine the effects of resistance exercise training program on estradiol, GH, IGF-1, DHEA-s, and BP in postmenopausal with stage 1 hypertension. METHODS: : Postmenopausal women (n=20) were recruited and randomly assigned to a resistance exercise group (EX, n=10) or control group (CON, n=10). The EX group performed a total-body resistance band exercise training program for 12 weeks. Levels of estradiol, GH, IGF-1, DHEA-s, as well as BP were assessed before and after 12 weeks RESULTS: There were significant group by time interactions (p<0.05) for estradiol (∆ 0.8±0.0), GH (∆ 0.5±0.1), IGF-1 (∆ 5.7±1.2), and DHEA-s (∆ 10.4±5.5) which significantly increased (p<0.05), and systolic BP (∆ 3.0±1.7) which significantly decreased (p<0.05) after exercise training compared to no changes in CON. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in diastolic BP after 12 weeks CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that resistance exercise training may be an effective, easily accessible, and cost efficient intervention for improving estradiol, GH, IGF-1 and DHEA and decline BP in postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension