LEFT VENTRICULAR STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS TO ENDURANCE EXERCISE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT 1010

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if estrogen replacement influences exercise-induced adaptations in left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDDcm) in postmenopausal women. Subjects were 22 women between 3 and 10 years past menopause who engaged in endurance exercise at least 3 times per week for more than a year. Twelve of the subjects had been taking estrogen replacement for at least a year (E) while 10 had never taken estrogen replacement (NE). There were no significant differences between groups in frequency, intensity, or duration of exercise training bouts. LVEDD, LVEDD index (LVEDDIcm/m2), posterior wall thickness(PWTcm), septal thickness (STcm), and fractional shortening(FS%) were assessed using standard M-mode echocardiography. Left ventricular mass index (LVMIg/m2) was calculated in accordance with contemporary methodologies, plasma estradiol (E2pg/ml) was assessed using radioimmunoassay, and peak oxygen consumption(PVO2ml/kg/min) was measured using open circuit spirometry. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. No significant differences were found among any of the variables except plasma estradiol:Table It was concluded that estrogen replacement does not influence left ventricular structural adaptation to endurance exercise in post menopausal women.