Effects of Inorganic Nitrate and Intensity of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health in Post-Menopausal Females
Vascular Dilation, Arterial Stiffness
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Vascular Dilation focused on measuring Flow-mediated dilation, Pulse wave velocity, Exercise intensity, Vascular function
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Post-menopausal female, defined as having not had a menstrual cycle for at least 1 year
- Greater than age 45 but less than age 75
- Sedentary (does not exercise regularly)
- No major changes in medication in the last 3 months
Exclusion Criteria:
- Smokers within last 5 years
- Weight unstable (loss/gain of more than 3kg in the past 3 months)
- Any medical condition that prevents the subject from exercising safely
- Hormone replacement therapy (current or within last 3 months)
- Currently or recently on vasoactive medications (i.e., calcium channel blockers, statins, ACE or renin inhibitors, ARBs, nitrates, alpha- or beta-blockers, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, etc.)
- Hysterectomy or oophorectomy
Sites / Locations
- Student Health and Wellness CenterRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Acute High-Intensity Exercise
Acute Moderate-Intensity Exercise
Non-Exercise Control
Subjects will exercise at an intensity of 75% of the difference between the lactate threshold and VO2peak until 200 kcal are expended. Pre- and post-testing measures of vascular health will be completed at baseline (0 min) and again 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 min post-baseline testing, with exercise taking place during time points 0-60 min.
Subjects will exercise at an intensity at the lactate threshold until 200 kcal are expended. Pre- and post-testing measures of vascular health will be completed at baseline (0 min) and again 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 min post-baseline testing, with exercise taking place during time points 0-60 min.
Measures of vascular health will be completed at baseline (0 min) and again 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 min post-baseline testing, without exercise taking place during time points 0-60 min.