Menopause alters temperature sensitivity of muscle force in humans

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 112; no. 3; pp. 1117 - 1122
• Main Authors: Bieles, J. S., Bruce, S. A., Woledge, R. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cold Temperature; Cooling; Female; Fingers & toes; Force; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hand - physiology; Hormone replacement therapy; Human Physiology; Humans; Immersion; Menopause; Menopause - physiology; Middle Aged; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscles - physiology; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Skin Temperature - physiology; Sports Medicine; Temperature; Thermosensing - physiology; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Womens health; Human; Temperature; Muscle; Menopause; Strength; Sensitivity; Muscle strength; Striated muscle
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2061-6

Isometric maximum voluntary force (MVF) of the adductor pollicis and first dorsal interosseous muscles was measured in 11 pre- and 11 post-menopausal (Pre-M and Post-M) human subjects. The temperature of the hand varied in the range 18°–38°C by water immersion and skin temperature was recorded. MVF at each temperature was expressed relative to the value at skin temperature above 35°C to give MVF REL . The form of the relation between MVF REL and temperature was different in the Pre-M and Post-M groups ( p  < 0.01). In the Pre-M group the maximum value of MVF REL occurred near 30°C and force fell at both higher and lower temperatures. In the Post-M group MVF REL showed an approximately linear decline with cooling across the whole temperature range. The maximum value of MVF REL for the Post-M group was near 35°C. The values of MVF REL for the Post-M group were significantly lower than for the Pre-M group at temperatures between 18° and 30°C.