Plasma vasopressin, renin activity, and aldosterone responses to maximal exercise in active college females

Abstract

The effect of maximal treadmill exercise on plasma concentrations of vasopressin (AVP); renin activity (PRA); and aldosterone (ALDO) was studied in nine female college basketball players before and after a 5-month basketball season. Pre-season plasma AVP increased (p less than 0.05) from a pre-exercise concentration of 3.8 +/- 0.5 to 15.8 +/- 4.8 pg X ml-1 following exercise. Post-season, the pre-exercise plasma AVP level averaged 1.5 +/- 0.5 pg X ml-1 and increased to 16.7 +/- 5.9 pg X ml-1 after the exercise test. PRA increased (p less than 0.05) from a pre-exercise value of 1.6 +/- 0.6 to 6.8 +/- 1.7 ngAI X ml-1 X hr-1 5 min after the end of exercise during the pre-season test. In the post-season, the pre-exercise PRA was comparable (2.4 +/- 0.6 ngAI X ml- X hr-1), as was the elevation found after maximal exercise (8.3 +/- 1.9 ngAI X ml- X hr-1). Pre-season plasma ALDO increased (p less than 0.05) from 102.9 +/- 30.8 pg X ml-1 in the pre-exercise period to 453.8 +/- 54.8 pg X ml-1 after the exercise test. In the post-season the values were 108.9 +/- 19.4 and 365.9 +/- 64.4 pg X ml-1, respectively. Thus, maximal exercise in females produced significant increases in plasma AVP, renin activity, and ALDO that are comparable to those reported previously for male subjects. Moreover, this response is remarkably reproducible as demonstrated by the results of the two tests performed 5 months apart.

Dissociated Response of Aldosterone from Plasma Renin Activity During Prolonged Exercise Under Hypoxia

“…Exercise is a potent stimulus of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Numerous studies have shown increases in plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) during various types of physical activity (Kosunen and Pakarinen 1976;Maresh, Wang and Goetz 1985;Wade, Hill, Hunt and Dressendorfer 1985). In these conditions the elevation in PAC resulted in a decrease in urinary excretion rate of sodium (Wade et al 1985).…”

RAA System and Exercise Relationship

“…However, resting levels of renin and aldosterone are known to decrease with age. Maresh et al (33) report that maximal exercise causes a higher increase in plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels in women than in men.…”