Gender differences in glucoregulatory responses to intense exercise.
We compared glucoregulatory responses to intense exercise (14 min at 88% maximum O(2) uptake) between genders (16 men, 12 women). Analysis of covariance of maximum O(2) uptake showed no gender effect, with 82% of variance due to fat-free mass (FFM). Glycemia rose comparably during exercise but was higher in women during recovery (P = 0.02). Glucose production [rate of appearance (R(a)); in mg/min] increased markedly in both; stepwise multiple regression and analysis of covariance of R(a) (peak and incremental area under the curve) showed no effect of gender, body weight, or FFM. Glucose uptake [rate of disappearance (R(d))] increased less than R(a) and slower in women. R(d) area under the curve related to FFM (P = 0.01) but not gender or body weight. Norepinephrine and epinephrine responses (13-18x baseline) were the same and correlated significantly with R(a). Exercise insulin and glucagon changes were slight, but postexercise hyperinsulinemia was greater in women (P = 0.018), along with higher R(d). Therefore, intense exercise glucoregulation is qualitatively similar between genders, with a "feed-forward" regulation of R(a) (consistent with catecholamine mediation). However, women have a lesser R(d) response, related to FFM. This combination leads to greater recovery-period hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.
Marliss
E B
EB
McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1. emarliss@rvhmed.mcgill.ca
Kreisman
S H
SH
Manzon
A
A
Halter
J B
JB
Vranic
M
M
Nessim
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D012737:Sex Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005947:Glucose; D010100:Oxygen; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine