Examining how menopause affects heart stiffness and exercise in female endurance athletes
The Influence of Menopausal Status on Myocardial Stiffness and Exercise Capacity Among Female Masters Endurance Athletes.
This study is testing how menopause affects heart stiffness and exercise ability in female endurance athletes compared to their male peers and those who haven't gone through menopause yet.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mayo Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rochester, Minnesota) |
| Trial ID | NCT06475768 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates the impact of menopausal status on myocardial stiffness and exercise capacity in female masters endurance athletes. It compares postmenopausal female athletes to their premenopausal counterparts and similarly aged male athletes. The study employs advanced imaging techniques, including stress echocardiograms, cardiovascular magnetic imaging (cMRI), and cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (cMRE), to assess heart function and stiffness. The goal is to understand how menopause may influence cardiovascular health in this specific athletic population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal and premenopausal female masters athletes with a long history of competitive endurance training.
Not a fit: Patients with a current or prior diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or those who have recently been pregnant may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into cardiovascular health management for female athletes, particularly in relation to menopause.
How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into cardiovascular health in athletes, this specific focus on menopausal status and myocardial stiffness in female endurance athletes is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Longstanding history of competitive endurance athletic performance defined as \>15 years of continuous athletic training for at least 7 hours per week and ongoing engagement in competitive events. Exclusion Criteria: * A current or prior diagnosis of cardiovascular disease as defined by the presence of structural heart disease, heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, more than moderate valve disease or prior valve surgery, * Current or recent pregnancy within 1 year * Positive pregnancy test (study visit 1) * Concurrent or use within 1 year of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, * Unable to undergo a cMRI (Please refer standard clinical contraindications for MRI)
Where this trial is running
Rochester, Minnesota
- Mayo Clinic — Rochester, Minnesota, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kathryn Larson, MD — Mayo Clinic
- Study coordinator: Biorn Sara
- Email: Biorn.Sara@mayo.edu
- Phone: 507-266-2328
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.