Hunter, S. K., Ryan, D. L., Ortega, J. D., Kutzscher, D. V., & Enoka, R. M. 2001). The pressor response varies with the type of fatiguing contraction performed by men and women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1477.

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the pressor response and the gender-related differences of endurance time for two types of fatiguing contractions. Males (N = 8) and females (N = 8) performed two isometric fatiguing exercises on separate days with the non-dominant flexor arm muscles. One was a constant-force contraction sustained at 15% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, and the other was a constant-position contraction with the load equivalent to 15% MVC.

Endurance time was longer for females in both tasks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate increased in both tasks for both genders. MAP increased to a greater amount in the constant-position task when compared to the constant-force task. MAP rose significantly more in males than females in the constant-force task but was similar in the constant-position task. Heart rates rose similarly in both tasks in both genders.

It was concluded that the mechanisms that underlie the longer endurance time of females are different to those that mediate the pressor response.

Implication. Endurance time (persistence) in isometric exercises is greater in females than males.

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