Effects of excess body mass on strength and fatigability of quadriceps in postmenopausal women

Author(s)

Paolillo, Fernanda Rossi ^{[1, 2]} ; Milan, Juliana Cristina ^[3] ; Bueno, Patricia de Godoy ^[4] ; Paolillo, Alessandra Rossi ^[5] ; Borghi-Silva, Audrey ^[3] ; Parizotto, Nivaldo Antonio ^{[1, 6]} ; Arena, Ross ^[7] ; Kurachi, Cristina ^{[1, 2]} ; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Biotechnol Program, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, Opt Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Phys Therapy, Cardiopulm Physiotherapy Lab, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Physiol, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Bioengineer Program, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Phys Therapy, Electrothermophototherapy Lab, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ New Mexico, Phys Therapy Program, Dept Orthopaed & Rehabil, Albuquerque, NM 87131 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY; v. 19, n. 5, p. 556-561, MAY 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is a major public health problem leading to, among other things, reduced functional capacity. Moreover, obesity-related declines in functional capacity may be compounded by the detrimental consequences of menopause. The aim of this study was to understand the potential effects of excess body mass on measures of functional capacity in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty-five postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 years were divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI): obese (BMI, >= 30 kg/m(2); n = 19) and nonobese (BMI, 18.5-29.9 kg/m(2); n = 26). To determine clinical characteristics, body composition, bone mineral density, and maximal exercise testing was performed, and a 3-day dietary record was estimated. To assess quadriceps function, isokinetic exercise testing at 60 degrees per second (quadriceps strength) and at 300 degrees per second (quadriceps fatigue) was performed. Results: The absolute value of the peak torque was not significantly different between the groups; however, when the data were normalized by body mass and lean mass, significantly lower values were observed for obese women compared with those in the nonobese group (128% +/- 25% vs 155% +/- 24% and 224% +/- 38% vs 257% +/- 47%, P < 0.05). The fatigue index did not show any significant difference for either group; however, when the data were normalized by the body mass and lean mass, significantly lower values were observed for obese women (69% +/- 16% vs 93% +/- 18% and 120% +/- 25% vs. 135% +/- 23%, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results show that despite reduced muscle force, the combination of obesity and postmenopause may be associated with greater resistance to muscle fatigue. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/14270-8 - Center for Optical and Photonics Science
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC