The effects of training in 3 different female rat populations (NOR, OV, and OV + EST) were studied. Trained rats were exercised
in motor driven treadmills for 9 weeks and were capable of running at speeds in excess of 1 mile per hour for 1 h at the end
of the training program. OV rats did not appear to be different than the other rats in their ability to run in the treadmills.
Three training effects were observed in the OV and NOR rats: lower body weights, lower resting heart rates and heavier adrenal
glands. Two unexpected findings were the failure of trained female rats to have heavier hearts or stronger knee ligaments.
Key-words Physical Training - Ovariectomy and Training - 17-B Estradiol - Ligamentous Strength - Organ Weight and Exercise
This study was supported in part by funds provided by PHS grant AM-08893-4 and the Graduate College at the University of Iowa.
NDEA Fellow in exercise physiology.