Is Vigorous Exercise Training Superior to Moderate for CVD Risk after Menopause?

Postmenopausal women have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease through many factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle and reduced heart rate variability (HRV). Endurance training improves coronary risk but the role of exercise intensity is unclear. The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of moderate versus vigorous exercise on cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. Thirty-six postmenopausal women who self-reported training at moderate (3–5.9 METS; n = 18; age 58.9 ± 4.4yr) or vigorous intensities ( \u3e 6 METS; n = 18; age 59.7 ± 5.2yr) participated. C-reactive protein (CRP), HRV, VO2max, and stress (Perceived Stress Survey, Menopause Rating Scale) were measured. Groups were compared using independent samples t-tests, and associations of exercise intensities with CRP and HRV were assessed using multiple regression. CRP, HRV, and VO2max were similar (p \u3e 0.05). Vigorous exercise had lower stress subscale scores (p \u3c 0.01) and higher counter-stress subscale scores compared to moderate (p \u3c 0.05). There was a positive association between time spent in vigorous exercise and HRV (p \u3c 0.05).Vigorous exercise may not confer additional benefits in CRP and HRV over moderate, except for stress reduction. However, more time spent in vigorous exercise was associated with higher HRV. Therefore, increased parasympathetic tone may provide cardioprotection after menopause

Assessment of HRV After Maximal Exercise in Trained Postmenopausal Women

Increased parasympathetic tone achieved with endurance training may provide cardioprotection after menopause. To compare heart rate variability (HRV) from rest through maximal exercise and recovery in trained postmenopausal women. Thirtysix postmenopausal women who self-reported training at either moderate (MOD; 3-5.9 METS; 58.9±4.4 year) or vigorous (VIG; \u3e6 METS; 59.7±5.2 year) intensities participated. HRV was measured for 5 min in the supine position, in the last minute of the VO2max test and after 2 min of active recovery. HRV in MOD and VIG was compared using a factorial ANOVA with repeated measures on time. MOD and VIG responded similarly over the three time periods for root mean square of sequential deviations (rMSSD), and high (HF) and low frequency (LF) power (p\u3e0.05). Maximal exercise lowered rMSSD (3.3±0.08 vs. 1.2±0.06) and lnLF (4.1±0.05 vs. 3.3±0.13) and increased lnHF (3.3±0.14 vs. 4.0±0.10; p\u3c0.01) from resting. However, active recovery restored lnHF (3.3±0.11) and lnLF (4.1±0.08) from maximal values (p\u3c0.01). Our findings suggest that moderate and vigorous exercise training may enhance HRV recovery following one bout of maximal exercise in older women

Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Characteristics during Submaximal Cycling and Recovery

The purpose of this study was to measure intra-arterial (IA) blood pressure from rest to steady-state submaximal exercise and immediately post-exercise. Beat-to-beat blood pressure was compared to breath-by-breath VO2 during steady-state and maximal exercise. Fourteen normotensive subjects volunteered. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (mBP) blood pressure was measured from rest to steady state during cycling at 45, 60, and 75% maximal power output (POmax). BP was assessed during recovery from VO2peak through 2 min of cycling at 50 W. During the rest to exercise transition, mBP decreased from 103.41 ± 9.4 to 90.1 ± 8.9 mmHg after 11.6 ± 6.2 s (

The effects of glycerol ingestion on fluid balance and cardiovascular hemodynamics in males during hypobaric hypoxia

Acute altitude exposure causes a loss of total body water and plasma volume. Glycerol ingestion has been shown to be rapidly absorbed by the intestine, leading to increases in serum osmolality, plasma osmolality, and total body water. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of glycerol ingestion on fluid balance and cardiovascular hemodynamics at rest and during exercise during hypobaric hypoxia. Twelve men (33 ± 8 yr, 177 ± 3 cm, 75 ± 11 kg, 52 ± 10 ml O2·kg -1·min-1) each completed 4, 3.5 hr trials in a randomized design: (A) 6% carbohydrate/electrolyte drink at 1524 m, (B) 5% glycerol drink at 1524 m, (C) 6% carbohydrate/electrolyte at 3659 m, and (D) 5% glycerol at 3659 m. The 3659 m trials were 2 weeks apart. Subjects consumed 30 ml/kg lean body mass of each drink in 5 equal volumes at minutes 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120. Exercise intensity was 50% of the ventilatory threshold at 1524 m. Plasma volume change, free water clearance, osmolar clearance, and body mass change were measured every 30 min. Cardiac output was measured at min 0 and 150 during rest and cycling by CO2 rebreathing. Glycerol ingestion (GLY) resulted in significantly lower free water clearance compared to carbohydrate/electrolyte (CHO) at min 90, 120, and 150 (p < 0.05) across altitude. Osmolar clearance was significantly higher for GLY vs CHO at min 60, 90, 120, and 150 (p< 0.05). No significant differences were found for plasma volume change, stroke volume, or heart rate. The body mass change and fluid retention were significantly higher for glycerol than for carbohydrate/ electrolyte (p< 0.05). Even though a 5% glycerol solution offset the diuresis of acute hypobaric hypoxia, there did not appear to be any beneficial effects on cardiovascular hemodynamics

Parental affective personality and children's self-reported internalising and externalising behaviour

Past research has demonstrated associations between parental personality traits and children's behaviour. However, fathers have been largely excluded from this research, and mothers often rate both their own personality and their child's behaviour, contributing to shared method variance. This study contributes to the literature by examining associations between parental biologically based affective personality traits, analysed separately for mothers and fathers, and seven- and eight-year-old children's self-reported internalising and externalising behaviours. Data were analysed for 272 mother-child dyads and 208 father-child dyads. A series of multiple linear regressions was utilised to test associations between mothers' and fathers' traits of ANGER, SADNESS, FEAR, PLAY, SEEKING and CARE, assessed using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS), and children's self-reported internalising and externalising behaviours, assessed using the Berkeley Puppet Interview. Results revealed that higher ANPS ANGER scores amongst mothers were associated with more externalising behaviours in boys. Mothers with higher scores on SEEKING had sons with lower scores on externalising behaviours, while mothers with higher PLAY scores had sons with lower scores on internalising behaviours. Fathers with higher ANPS SADNESS scores had children with greater internalising behaviours, while fathers with greater FEAR traits had children with lower internalising behaviours. Indirect associations through harsh or positive parenting were not significant. Findings demonstrated that ANPS traits of ANGER, PLAY and SEEKING for mothers and FEAR and SADNESS for fathers are associated with children's self-reported externalising and internalising behaviours. This study adds to the literature on biologically based parental affective personality and children's internalising and externalising behaviours