The effect of intensity on metabolic and ventilatory responses to steady-state exercise in women across the adult lifecycle

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the differences in metabolism and ventilation between women before, during, and after menopause during rest and to varying steady-state exercise intensities. Method: 74 female participants (18–60 years; premenopausal [PRE], perimenopausal [PERI], and postmenopausal [POST]) completed four laboratory visits; one maximal exercise test, resting data collection, and body composition assessment followed by three steady-state submaximal exercise tests at 40% (low), 60% (moderate), and 80% (high) V̇O_2peak in a randomised order with subgroup analysis for hormonal contraceptive or hormone therapy use. Results: There was an effect of menopause stage on exercise energy expenditure but no interaction effect with intensity. There were no differences substrate utilisation, or ventilation across any of the exercise intensities. Subgroup analysis revealed that HT and HC use did not impact EE, substrate oxidation, or ventilation. Conclusions: Menopause stage is influential upon exercise energy expenditure but more research in perimenopause is required to confirm the effect, future studies should explore the broader implications of the menopausal transition on exercise physiology.