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Gender modulates the energy cost of muscle contraction in untrained healthy subjects. A 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis
Author(s) -
Mattei Jean P,
Bendahan David,
Roussel Magali,
Lefur Yann,
Cozzone Patrick J
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00503-7
Subject(s) - contraction (grammar) , nuclear magnetic resonance , spectroscopy , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , muscle contraction , energy cost , energy exchange , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics , atmospheric sciences , radiology , architectural engineering , engineering
The forearm flexor muscles of 56 untrained volunteers (26 women and 30 men) were examined by 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, during a rest‐exercise‐recovery protocol, in order to document the impact of gender on muscle energetics. Absolute concentrations of high‐energy phosphate compounds, intracellular pH and rates of aerobic and anaerobic ATP production were calculated. An inverse correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and power output in women but not in men. After correcting for power output and BMI, the measured energy cost of contraction was twice larger for women than for men. This increase was also reflected in larger ATP production from aerobic and anaerobic pathways. This higher energy cost might be explained in part by differences in local muscle mass, a higher impact of fatness, but also by a reduced metabolic efficiency of muscle fibers in untrained women.