Central adiposity, aerobic fitness, and blood pressure in premenopausal Hispanic women.

Hispanics comprise one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population. Mexican-American adults are more likely to be overweight, physically inactive, diabetic, and to have higher levels of hypertension than are white adults. However, studies addressing the relationship between physical fitness and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors among Mexican-Americans are much less conclusive. Therefore, understanding the etiology of factors influencing resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in Hispanic women was the aim of this investigation. SBP, DBP, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO (2)), weekly physical activity, waist (WC) and hip circumference, blood glucose, and levels of plasma lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) of 39 Hispanic women age 22 - 51 years were measured. Factors with significant correlation to SBP were age, WC, sagittal diameter, and weight. Similarly, significant correlations were observed between anthropometric indices, age, and DBP. Peak VO (2) ( r = - 0.53, p < 0.01) and heart rate at maximal effort ( r = - 0.34, p

Bone mineral density in Hispanic women: role of aerobic capacity, fat-free mass, and adiposity.

Understanding the etiology of factors influencing bone mineral density (BMD) in Hispanic women for the prevention of osteoporosis was the aim of this investigation. Whole body BMD (WBBMD) of 39 Hispanic, premenopausal women aged 22 - 51 years was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Maximal aerobic capacity ((.-)VO(2max)) was determined by treadmill ergometry with direct measurement of oxygen consumption. Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass were estimated from two independent techniques, DXA and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). A questionnaire was administered to determine weekly physical activity, age of menarche, oral contraceptive (OC) use, parity, and lactation. Factors with significant correlation to WBBMD were weight ( r = 0.74), body mass index ( r = 0.66), fat mass ( r = 0.68 - 0.69), FFM ( r = 0.55 - 0.65), percent fat ( r = 0.43 - 0.55), sagittal diameter ( r = 0.58), waist circumference ( r = 0.53), hip circumference ( r = 0.66) and weekly activity ( r = 0.40). Stepwise multiple linear regression revealed that 73 % of the variance in WBBMD is attributed to fat mass (55 %), FFM (10 %), and (.-)VO(2max) (8 %). When BIA was used instead of DXA in the regression, (.-)VO(2max) was no longer an independent predictor of WBBMD. Fat mass and FFM accounted for 43 % and 20 % of the variance in WBBMD, respectively, explaining a total of 63 % of the variance. The addition of age, age of menarche, weekly physical activity, OC use, parity, and lactation did not make significant contributions to the variance. The findings of this study suggest that fat mass is a stronger predictor of bone mineral density than fat-free mass to BMD; aerobic capacity is another important predictor of BMD in Hispanic premenopausal women.

A longitudinal assessment of change in VO2max and maximal heart rate in master athletes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the longitudinal change in VO2max and HRmax in male and female master endurance runners and to compare these changes based upon gender, age, and change in training volume. METHODS: Eighty-six male (53.9 +/- 1.1 yr) and 49 female (49.1 +/- 1.2 yr) master endurance runners were tested an average of 8.5 yr apart. Subjects were grouped by age at first visit, change in VO2max, and change in training volume. Measurements included body composition by hydrostatic weighing, maximal exercise testing on a treadmill, and training history by questionnaire. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and multiple regression. RESULTS: VO2max and HRmax declined significantly regardless of gender or age group (P < 0.05). The rate of change in VO2max by age group ranged from -1% to -4.6% per year for men and -0.5% to 2.4% per year for women. Men with the greatest loss in VO2max had the greatest loss in LBM (-2.8 +/- 0.7 kg), whereas women with the greatest loss in VO2max demonstrated the greatest change in training volume (-24.1 +/- 3.0 km.wk-1). Additionally, women with the greatest loss in VO2max (-9.6 +/- 2.6 mL.kg-1.min-1) did not replace estrogen after menopause independent of age. HRmax change did not differ by VO2max change or training volume change in either gender. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these data suggest that VO2max declines in male and female master athletes at a rate similar to or greater than that expected in sedentary older adults. Additionally, these data suggest that maintenance of LBM and VO2max were associated in men, whereas in women, estrogen replacement and maintenance of training volume were associated with maintained VO2max.

Relationship between physiological loss, performance decrement, and age in master athletes.

BACKGROUND: The use of master athletes to describe an idealized rate of physiological loss associated with aging is quite common. The results of such studies suggest that older athletes may be able to reduce the rate of decline in functional loss. The findings of such studies have been questioned due to their limited sample size and the age range and gender of their subjects. METHODS: We examined a group of 146 male and 82 female master athletes over the age of 40 years. Physiological parameters included maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), body composition, muscle strength, bone density, and blood chemistries. Medical histories and training records were obtained via questionnaire. RESULTS: Results demonstrated gender differences in body composition, blood chemistries, blood pressure, VO2max, muscle strength, bone density, and performance (p <.05). All metabolic parameters for men and most for women demonstrated significant losses across the age range (p <.05). In addition, strength and performance for men and women and bone density for women declined significantly with age (p <.05). The demonstrated loss rates did not differ by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by the lack of a sedentary comparison group, these data suggest that age-related losses in VO2max may not be different from data previously reported for older sedentary adults and that loss in muscle strength and performance with aging is not linear.

Influence of weight training exercise and modification of hormonal response on skeletal muscle growth.

To investigate the influence of carbohydrate (CHO) consumption on the acute hormonal response, and chronic adaptation to weight lifting exercise, two studies were conducted. Following a four-hour fast, seven young men (21.3 +/- 3.5 y) performed (on two occasions) a nine-station weight lifting protocol, completing 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of 1RM (series 1). Randomly assigned, one session included the ingestion of a non-caloric placebo, and the other, a 6% CHO solution. For series 2, two groups of young men (21.3 +/- 1.5 y) participated in 12 weeks of progressive resistance weight training. Training for one group included the ingestion of a non-caloric placebo, and the other, a 6% CHO solution. In series 1, weight lifting exercise with CHO ingestion significantly (p < 0.05) elevated blood glucose and plasma insulin levels above baseline, as well as that occurring with the placebo. This resulted in a significant blunting of the cortisol response (7% with CHO compared to 99% with placebo). These findings indicate that CHO consumption during weight lifting exercise can modify the acute hormonal response to exercise. With series 2, CHO consumption continued to blunt the cortisol response to exercise during the twelve weeks of training. This is in contrast to significantly elevated cortisol levels observed for the placebo control group. Corresponding with the modified response patterns were differences in muscle growth. Weight training exercise with CHO ingestion resulted in significantly greater gains in both type I (19.1%) and type II (22.5%) muscle fibre area than weight training exercise alone. The difference in the cortisol response accounted for 74% of the variance (r = 0.8579, p = 0.006) of change in type I muscle fibre area, and 52.3% of the variance (r = 0.7231, p = 0.043) of change in type II muscle fibre area. These findings suggest that the modification of the cortisol response associated with CHO ingestion can positively impact the skeletal muscle hypertrophic adaptation to weigh training.

Maximal aerobic power, lactate threshold, and running performance in master athletes.

PURPOSE: This study sought to determine how lactate threshold (LT) is related to running performance in older male and female runners, if LT changes significantly with age, and if gender alters the relationship between LT and performance in older runners. METHODS: Subjects were 168 master runners (111 men, 57 women) selected from a longitudinal study, who ran at least 10 miles x wk(-1) for 5 yr or more. VO2max was measured on a treadmill and body composition by hydrostatic weighing. Blood samples taken each minute of exercise were analyzed for lactate concentration and LT determined as the breakpoint in lactate accumulation. Performance times and training histories were self-reported by questionnaire. RESULTS: Men had significantly greater body mass, fat-free mass (FFM), and VO2max (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) than women. FFM and VO2max (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) declined with age in both men and women. Running performance was significantly different between men and women and declined with age in both. LT (L x min(-1); mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was significantly different between men and women, and declined significantly with age in men, whereas LT (%VO2max) did not differ between men and women and increased significantly with age in both. VO2max (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was the most significant predictor of performance in both men and women, whereas LT (L x min(-1)) added to the prediction of 5-km and 10-km performance in women. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that VO2max (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) is a better predictor of performance than LT in older male and female runners. Additionally, LT as a percentage of VO2max increases significantly with age.

The inability of hormone replacement therapy or chronic running to maintain bone mass in master athletes.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated equivocal findings on the effect of chronic running on bone mass in post-menopausal women. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chronic running alone and in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-three women [15 premenopausal 48.1 +/- .4 yrs (Pre); 13 postmenopausal 57.3 +/- 2.3 yrs (Post); and 15 HRT-treated postmenopausal 56.8 +/- 1.5 yrs (PostE)] served as subjects. All were chronic runners (duration > 5 yrs, > 10 miles per week). BMD was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, VO2 max on a treadmill, body composition by hydrostatic weighing, knee strength by KinCom dynamometer, and training and menstrual history by questionnaire. Analysis of covariance with Tukey post hoc tests was utilized to compare the groups. RESULTS: The groups were similar in body weight, VO2 max, years training, and miles run per week. Pre and PostE did not differ in total or spine BMD. However, Pre had greater hip BMD than PostE (.973 +/- .03 vs .876 +/- .03 g/cm2; p < .05). As well, Pre had greater BMD of the hip (.973 +/- .03 vs .805 +/- .03 g/cm2; p < .05), spine (1.047 +/- .04 vs .870 +/- .04 g/cm2; p < .05), and total body (1.115 +/- .02 vs .996 +/- .03 g/cm2; p < .05) than Post. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that (a) chronic running + HRT is insufficient to protect hip BMD and (b) chronic running alone provides no protection for bone mass in postmenopausal women.

Oral arginine does not stimulate basal or augment exercise-induced GH secretion in either young or old adults.

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) helps maintain body composition and metabolism in adults. However, basal and peak GH decline with age. Exercise produces a physiologic GH response that is subnormal in elderly people. Arginine (Arg) infusion can augment GH secretion, but the efficacy of oral Arg to improve GH response to exercise has not been explored. We investigated whether oral Arg increases GH secretion in young and old people at rest and during exercise. METHODS: Twenty young (Y: 22.1 +/- 0.9 y; SEM) and 8 old (O: 68.5 +/- 2.1 y) male and female subjects underwent three different trials following determination of their one-repetition maximum strength (1-RM); exercise only (EO; 3 sets, 8-10 reps at 85% of 1-RM; on 12 separate resistive lifts), Arg only (5.0 g), or Arg + exercise. Blood samples were collected between successive lifts, and GH (ng x ml(-1)) was determined via RIA. RESULTS: In Y vs O: Basal GH secreted (area under the curve) was 543.6 +/- 84.0 vs 211.5 +/- 63.0. During EO, values were 986.6 +/- 156.6 and 517.8 +/- 85.5. Both were significantly lower in the older individuals (p < .05). Oral Arg alone did not result in any increase in GH secretion at rest (310.8 +/- 73.2 vs 262.9 +/- 141.2). When Arg was coadministered during exercise, GH release was not affected in either the young or old and appeared to be blunted in the young compared to the exercise only trial in the young. CONCLUSION: Based upon these findings, we concluded that oral Arg does not stimulate GH secretion and may impair GH release during resistive exercise.

Eccentric muscle action increases site-specific osteogenic response.

PURPOSE: Strain magnitude is known to be a primary determinant of the osteogenic response to loading. However, whether bone adaptation to muscle loading is determined primarily by load magnitude is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of load magnitude from muscle action on the site-specific osteogenic response. METHODS: Twenty young women (12 exercise, 8 control) served as subjects. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body and mid-femur segment and body composition were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Knee extension and flexion strengths were determined on a KinCom dynamometer, with surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis muscle. Exercise subjects trained three times weekly for 18 wk on a KinCom. One leg trained using eccentric knee extension and flexion, and the opposite leg trained using concentric knee extension and flexion. RESULTS: Eccentric exercise demonstrated greater force production with lower integrated electromyographic signal (IEMG) compared with concentric exercise. Significant increases in muscle strength occurred in both exercised legs (P < 0.05), which were of similar relative change. However, only the eccentric trained leg significantly increased mid-femur segment BMD (+3.9%, P < 0.05) and mid-thigh segment lean mass (+5.2%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that eccentric muscle training is more osteogenic than concentric muscle training and that eccentric training is more efficient by attaining higher force production with lower IEMG.

Age-related blunting of growth hormone secretion during exercise may not be soley due to increased somatostatin tone.

Age-related declines in growth hormone (GH) secretion may result from augmented somatostatin (SRIH) tone and/or diminished GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) secretion. We assessed GH release during exercise without and with pyridostigmine (PYR), which indirectly suppresses SRIH. GH levels were measured throughout exercise and recovery in 12 young men (mean +/- SEM, 20.8 +/- 0.4 years) and seven old men (66.1 +/- 1.9). The area under the GH curve (GH-AUC) was greater in young versus old men during a short-term maximal exercise test (12.9 +/- 2.8 v 1.5 +/- 0.2 ng x min(-1) x mL(-1), P = .002) and a 1-hour 60% maximal (submaximal, 10.0 +/- 1.5 v 3.0 +/- 1.0 ng x min(-1) x mL(-1), P = .001) cycle exercise bout. PYR increased the GH-AUC in young and old men during maximal (20.9 +/- 5.2 v 4.9 +/- 1.8) and submaximal (12.3 +/- 1.6 v 4.7 +/- 1.5) exercise (P < .05). The greater GH response to maximal versus submaximal exercise suggests a role for adrenergic modulation of GHRH during exercise. However, the failure of PYR to restore the responses of the old to those of the young suggests that increased SRIH tone does not completely explain the age difference in GH secretion during exercise.

Applications of methods and techniques in the study of aerobic fitness during pregnancy.

This article is a critical review of the general principles of exercise physiology and their relevance in pregnancy. An overview of the published studies and their conclusions are provided.

A comparison of cross-sectional and longitudinal methods of assessing the influence of pregnancy on cardiac function during exercise.

To evaluate the influence of pregnancy on resting and exercise cardiac function, we studied 16 nonpregnant and 26 pregnant females in a two-phase study. During phase I, all pregnant subjects (P1) (mean gestational age = 29.5 +/- 7 weeks) were compared with 16 control (C) subjects. In phase II, 8 of the pregnant subjects (P2) (mean gestational age = 32.6 +/- 6 weeks) were evaluated again at 12.5 +/- 7 weeks postpartum (PP). Using Collier's CO2 rebreathing technique, exercise cardiac output (Q) was measured on a cycle ergometer during rest and at three submaximal work levels (25, 50, and 75 W), during the last minute of 5 to 7 minutes of steady-level power output. Metabolic parameters [ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2)] were measured during the submaximal tests and throughout the progressive increase in work after the last measure of Q, until peak VO2 was achieved. The results from the phase I comparison indicated (as expected) higher resting heart rates [(90.0 +/- 3 P1; 81.8 +/- 3 bpm C), ventilation (9.5 +/- 0.3 P1; 7.5 +/- 0.5 L min-1 C), and resting oxygen consumption (0.263 +/- 0.07 P; 0.221 +/- 0.01 L min-1 C) associated with pregnancy, and these findings were similar when the pregnant subjects were compared with their postpartum values. Analysis of the various indices of cardiac function [Q, stroke volume (SV), and arteriovenous oxygen difference (A-VO2 diff)] resulted in statistically higher resting Q in pregnancy when compared with C and PP conditions. No resting differences were observed for SV or A-VO2 diff in either phase of the study. The results of the submaximal exercise tests indicated no significant differences in HR nor VO2 between P1 and C; however, P2 had significantly higher submaximal heart rates and oxygen consumption when compared with PP. Further, no significant differences were observed between P1 and C for Q, SV or A-VO2 diff, whereas P2 versus PP resulted in significantly lower SV and higher A-VO2 diff in the pregnant subjects. These findings suggest that pregnancy/control versus pregnancy/ postpartum studies yield statistically different results and that an effort needs to made by the research community to develop standardized methodologies to evaluate physiological processes in pregnancy.

A comparison of the ventilatory responses to exercise in pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant women.

To evaluate the influence of pregnancy on resting and exercise pulmonary function, we studied 16 nonpregnant and 26 pregnant females in a two-phase study. During phase I, all pregnant subjects (P1) (mean gestational age = 29.5 +/- 7 weeks [X +/- SD]) were compared with 16 control (C) subjects. In phase II, 8 of the pregnant subjects (P2) (mean gestational age = 32.6 +/- 6 weeks) were evaluated again at 12.5 +/- 7 weeks' postpartum (PP). Exercise respiratory function was measured during work on a cycle ergometer during rest and at three submaximal work levels (25, 50, and 75 W), during the last minute of 5 to 7 minutes of steady-level power output. Ventilatory parameters [ventilation (VE), ventilatory frequency (VF), tidal volume (TV), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2) and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2)] and metabolic parameters [oxygen consumption (VO2), oxygen pulse, carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and plasma lactate (HLA)] were measured during the submaximal tests and throughout the progressive increase in work after the 75 W work load, until peak VO2 was achieved. The results from the phase I comparison indicated (as expected) higher resting ventilation, tidal volume, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and respiratory exchange ratio associated with pregnancy, and these findings were similar when the pregnant subjects were compared with their postpartum values. Plasma lactate levels, although similar in the phase I comparison, were significantly higher during pregnancy when compared with postpartum values. No resting differences were observed for VF, O2 pulse, VE/VO, or VE/VCO2 in either phase of the study. The results of the submaximal exercise tests indicated higher submaximal levels of VE, VF, VE/VO2, VE/VCO2 in P1 versus C; however, P2 had significantly higher VE, TV, VO2, VE/VCO2, when compared with PP. The influence of pregnancy on VCO2 and RER differed by workload in both sets of comparisons. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between P1 and C and P2 and PP for plasma lactate levels. These findings suggest that pregnancy/control versus pregnancy/postpartum studies yield different results in both ventilatory and metabolic comparisons. Consideration must be given to the type of study when discussing and applying the findings.

Prolonged exercise in pregnancy: glucose homeostasis, ventilatory and cardiovascular responses.

This study was designed to assess glucose homeostasis in pregnant women in their third trimester of gestation in response to exercise. Specifically, this study was designed to (1) compare the extend and rate at which blood glucose levels decrease in pregnant (22 to 33 weeks of gestation) versus that which occurs in nonpregnant women; and (2) determine the pattern of changes of the substrates (glucose, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and free fatty acids, and hormones (insulin), that contribute to the glucose homeostasis of pregnant (N = 10), and nonpregnant (N = 10) women in response to 1-hour prolonged moderate intensity exercise (at 55% of their VO2max). Each subject was tested for the determination of their maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and, based on their VO2max, they performed 60 minutes of prolonged moderate intensity exercise. Blood was collected before, during, and after the exercise bout. The results indicated that blood glucose levels of pregnant women decrease at a faster rate and to a significantly lower level post exercise (P < .05). Insulin levels of pregnant women also decreased to a significantly lower level post exercise, and lactate levels were maintained at a lower level 15 minutes after exercise. beta-hydroxybutyrate level was not different between the two groups, but demonstrated a different pattern of changes during exercise (P < .05). Furthermore, the results suggest that blood glucose levels of the late pregnant women decrease lower than those of nonpregnant women; also, there are differences in the rate and kinetics of blood glucose between pregnant and nonpregnant women. The results also indicate significant differences in the level of circulating substrates and hormones between pregnant and nonpregnant women in response to exercise.

Body composition in pregnancy.

Concern over the influence of pregnancy-related alterations in hydration has prompted questions regarding the accuracy of using standard methods of determining body composition. We sought to investigate whether differences exist between body composition determined at 30 weeks and 39 weeks of gestation and postpartum, when measured by both bioelectrical impedance and hydrostatic weighing. This preliminary assessment of nine subjects suggests that the method used to calculate body composition during pregnancy can alter the influence of gestational age on body composition. The mechanisms underlying the differing results bear further investigation, as does the search for an accurate and reliable method for assessing body composition during pregnancy. Further research addressing these mechanisms is crucial to determining the relationship between changes in maternal fat and both maternal and fetal well-being.

Age-dependent effect of resistance exercise on growth hormone secretion in people.

We measured serum GH responses to a standardized circuit of resistance exercise in 12 young subjects (6 men and 6 women; 27 +/- 1.6 yr old) and in 11 elders (6 men and 5 women; 72 +/- 0.8 yr old). Initial assessment of strength [1 repetition maximum (1RM)] was made of 12 muscle groups using Nautilus equipment. One week later, subjects carried out the exercise protocol, 3 sets of 8 repetitions for each of the 12 exercises, at 70% of predetermined 1RM values. Venous blood was drawn at baseline, after each exercise, and every 2 min during 10 min of recovery. In young subjects serum immunoreactive GH rose by completion of the second exercise, increased and remained elevated through the remainder of the exercise period, and decreased toward baseline by 10 min of recovery. In the elderly subjects, baseline GH values were similar to those in the young (1.76 +/- 0.41 vs. 2.61 +/- 0.73 micrograms/L) and did not increase above 6 micrograms/L at any time during or after exercise. Exercise increased GH in both groups, but peak values (14.9 +/- 3.5 micrograms/L in young; 2.44 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L in old) and integrated (198 +/- 47 in young; 37.8 +/- 0.8 in old) were significantly greater in the young subjects (P less than 0.05). GH responses showed no gender difference in either group. Brief increases in pulse rate were observed during individual exercises, but sustained elevations did not occur. To assess the effect of exercise intensity on GH response, we compared responses to exercise at 70% and 85% of 1RM in 7 young and 11 older people. In the young subjects, GH responses were nonsignificant at 60% and increased progressively at 70% and 85% of 1RM. No significant effect of exercise intensity was observed in the older subjects. We conclude that resistance exercise promptly elevates circulating GH concentrations in healthy young adults. This response is related to the intensity of the resistance stimulus, although a small contribution of aerobic stress cannot be excluded. The GH response to resistance activity is grossly diminished in healthy elderly men and women.

Muscle hypertrophy response to resistance training in older women.

We conducted a 12-wk resistance training program in elderly women [mean age 69 +/- 1.0 (SE) yr] to determine whether increases in muscle strength are associated with changes in cross-sectional fiber area of the vastus lateralis muscle. Twenty-seven healthy women were randomly assigned to either a control or exercise group. The program was satisfactorily completed and adequate biopsy material obtained from 6 controls and 13 exercisers. After initial testing of baseline maximal strength, exercisers began a training regimen consisting of seven exercises that stressed primary muscle groups of the lower extremities. No active intervention was prescribed for the controls. Increases in muscle strength of the exercising subjects were significant compared with baseline values (28-115%) in all muscle groups. No significant strength changes were observed in the controls. Cross-sectional area of type II muscle fibers significantly increased in the exercisers (20.1 +/- 6.8%, P = 0.02) compared with baseline. In contrast, no significant change in type II fiber area was observed in the controls. No significant changes in type I fiber area were found in either group. We conclude that a program of resistance exercise can be safely carried out by elderly women, such a program significantly increases muscle strength, and such gains are due, at least in part, to muscle hypertrophy.

Exercise prescription in pregnancy: weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing exercise.

Bicycle ergometry (non-weight-bearing exercise) and treadmill (weight-bearing exercise) were compared to assess physiologic responses to similar work loads. A total of 22 subjects at 29.3 +/- 1.6 (+/- SEM) weeks' gestation who performed non-weight-bearing exercise were compared with 15 similarly fit subjects at 26.1 +/- 2.3 weeks' gestation who performed weight-bearing exercise at three submaximal levels. Measurements by indirect calorimetry indicate preferential carbohydrate use during non-weight-bearing exercise at submaximal levels.

Relationship of body composition, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity to bone mineral density in older men and women.

We evaluated the relationship of body composition, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), and muscle strength to bone mineral density in 91 healthy men and women, age 61-84 years. Lean body mass was estimated from two independent measures of fat mass, bioelectrical impedance and skinfold thickness. VO2max was determined by treadmill ergometry with direct measurement of oxygen consumption. Grip and back strength were measured by isometric dynamometry. Mineral density of lumbar spine and midradius were measured by dual- and single-photon absorptiometry. Men had significantly greater lean mass, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and bone density than women. In women, grip strength correlated with forearm and spine density (r = 0.37, r = 0.28, p less than 0.05). In men, grip strength correlated with forearm density (r = 0.47, p less than 0.05), and back strength was significantly correlated with both spine (r = 0.46, p less than 0.01) and forearm density (r = 0.46, p less than 0.01). In women, neither forearm nor spine density correlated significantly with aerobic capacity. In men, midradius density did not correlate significantly with oxygen consumption, but the simple correlation between spine density and VO2max was significant (r = 0.41, p less than 0.05). Back strength and VO2max were significantly related in men (r = 0.47, p less than 0.01). By stepwise multiple regression, back strength emerged as the most robust predictor of spine mineral, accounting for 19% of the variation in bone density. Addition of VO2max to the regression did not add significant predictive value. However, when VO2max was expressed per kilogram lean body mass, both back strength and VO2max contributed significantly to the prediction of spine density in men, and the coefficient of determination R2 increased to 0.30. We conclude that body mass and grip strength, but not aerobic capacity, significantly predict bone density in elderly women. In elderly men, back strength is a more robust predictor of axial bone density than traditional expressions of aerobic capacity, but VO2max per kilogram lean mass and back strength both make significant contributions to the prediction of spine mineral density. The applicability of these results to younger men and women is uncertain.

Fetal heart rate responses to maternal exercise.

The fetal heart rate responses to mild, moderate, and strenuous maternal exercise were studied in 45 healthy subjects. In the majority of cases, the fetal heart rate increased during and after maternal exercise. Fetal bradycardia was recorded in five fetuses; this appears to be a sporadic event. There was no correlation between the individual fetal heart responses, gestational age, exercise intensity, and maternal circulating catecholamines.