Gender differences and determinants of aerobic fitness in children aged 8–11 years

We tested the hypothesis that women would demonstrate lower cardiovagal baroreflex gain compared with men. If so, we further hypothesized that the lower cardiovagal baroreflex gain in women would be associated with their lower aerobic fitness and higher body fat percentage compared with men. To accomplish this, we measured cardiovagal baroreflex gain (modified Oxford technique) in sedentary, nonobese (body mass index < 25 kg/m2) men (age = 26.0 ± 2.1 yr, n = 11) and women (age = 26.9 ± 1.6 yr, n = 14). Resting R-R interval and diastolic blood pressure were similar in the two groups, but systolic blood pressure was lower ( P < 0.05) in the women. Cardiovagal baroreflex gain was significantly lower in the women compared with the men (13.3 ± 1.5 vs. 20.0 ± 2.8 ms/mmHg, P< 0.05). The lower cardiovagal baroreflex gain in the women was not related ( P > 0.05) to their lower aerobic fitness and was only marginally related to their higher body fat percentage ( r = −0.34, P < 0.05). There were no gender differences in the threshold and saturation, operating range, or operating point (all P > 0.05), although the operating point fell significantly to left (i.e., at a lower systolic blood pressure) compared with men. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that the gain of the cardiovagal baroreflex is reduced whereas other parameters were similar in women compared with men. The mechanisms responsible for the reduced cardiovagal baroreflex gain remain unclear.

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Gender differences and determinants of aerobic fitness in children aged 8–11 years

European Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1007/s00421-007-0406-y ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 125-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Magnus Dencker ◽

Ola Thorsson ◽

Magnus K. Karlsson ◽

Christian Lindén ◽

Stig Eiberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Aerobic Fitness

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Gender differences in aerobic fitness of pre-adolescent school children in Makurdi, Nigeria

African Journal for Physical Health Education Recreation and Dance ◽

10.4314/ajpherd.v12i4.24760 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Author(s):

DT Goon ◽

AL Toriola ◽

BS Shaw

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

School Children ◽

Aerobic Fitness

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Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2013/497324 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Abdulaziz Farooq ◽

Wade L. Knez ◽

Kelly Knez ◽

Asma Al-Noaimi ◽

Justin Grantham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Body Composition ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Lipid Profile ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Gulf Region ◽

Fat Accumulation

Recent studies from the Gulf region suggest that compared to men, women have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MeS).Objective. To investigate gender differences in body composition, adipokines, inflammatory markers, and aerobic fitness in a cohort of healthy Qatari adults.Participants. Healthy Qatari (n=58) were matched for age, gender, and body mass index.Methods. Body composition and regional fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computerized tomography. Laboratory assessments included serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile analysis, adipokines, and inflammatory markers. Subjects were also evaluated for aerobic fitness.Results. Women had more adipose tissue in the total abdominal (P=0.04) and abdominal subcutaneous (P=0.07) regions compared to men. Waist circumference and indices of insulin sensitivity were similar; however, women had a more favourable lipid profile than men. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher in women, whereas inflammatory profiles were not different between men and women. Aerobic fitness was lower in women and was associated with abdominal fat accumulation.Conclusion. In premenopausal women, higher levels of adiponectin may support maintenance of insulin sensitivity and normolipidemia despite greater adiposity. However, poor aerobic fitness combined with abdominal fat accumulation may explain their greater future risk of MeS compared with men.

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