Oral estrogen therapy may mitigate the effects of aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, randomized clinical pilot study

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Cardoso, Crivaldo Gomes, Jr. ; Medina, Fabio Leandro ; Pinto, Luiz Gustavo ; Oneda, Bruna ; Riani Costa, Luiz Augusto ; Labes, Eliana ; Abrahao, Sandra Baliero ; Tinucci, Tais ; Mion, Decio, Jr. ; Fonseca, Angela Maggio ; de Moraes Forjaz, Claudia Luica

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY; v. 21, n. 4, p. 7-pg., 2014-04-01.

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated effects of oral estrogen therapy and aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women. Methods Forty-two hysterectomized healthy postmenopausal women were randomly divided (in a double-blind manner) into four groups: placebo-control (n = 9), estrogen therapy-control (n = 12), placebo-aerobic training (PLA-AT; n = 11), and estrogen therapy-aerobic training (ET-AT; n = 10). The estrogen therapy groups received estradiol valerate (1 mg/day) and the aerobic training groups trained on a cycle ergometer three times per week at moderate intensity. Before and 6 months after the interventions, all women underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Results Regardless of hormone therapy, aerobic training increased oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (P = 0.001), oxygen uptake at respiratory compensation point (P = 0.043), and oxygen uptake at peak exercise (P = 0.020). The increases at respiratory compensation point and peak exercise were significantly greater in the groups receiving placebo than in the groups receiving estrogen (oxygen uptake at respiratory compensation point: PLA-AT +5.3 [2.8] vs ET-AT +3.0 [2.5] mL kg(-1) min(-1), P = 0.04; oxygen uptake at peak exercise: PLA-AT +5.8 [3.4] vs ET-AT +2.8 [1.4] mL kg(-1) min(-1), P = 0.02). Conclusions Oral estrogen therapy may mitigate the cardiorespiratory fitness increase induced by aerobic training in hysterectomized healthy postmenopausal women. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 01/14989-7 - Sympathetic nervous sistem, hypertension and fitness in post menopausal women submited to hormon replacement therapy
• Grantee: Angela Maggio da Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants