The effect of gradual ovarian failure on dynamic muscle function and the role of high-intensity interval training on mitigating impairments

Abstract

We used the VCD model of menopause to investigate the effects of gradual ovarian failure on skeletal muscle contractile function and whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can mitigate impairments. Our findings indicate that ovarian failure impairs dynamic contractile function—likely through a combination of lower force-generating capacity and slower shortening velocity—and that HIIT may be insufficient to completely counteract the deleterious effects of menopause at the cellular level.