Is There Enhanced Lymphatic Function in Upper Body Trained Females?

Abstract

Background: Chronic physical activity results in adaptations in many aspects of human physiology, while specific training can directly influence structural changes. It remains unknown if habitual exercise influences upper extremity lymphatic function in females; thus, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare different exercise stresses on lymphatic function in ten upper body trained females with ten untrained females. Methods and Results: Participants underwent a maximal upper body aerobic test on an arm crank ergometer before undergoing three randomly assigned lymphatic stress tests. Lymphoscintigraphy was used to quantify lymphatic function. ^99mTc-antimony colloid was injected into the third web space of each hand, followed by 1 min spot views taken with a γ-radiation camera. The maximal stress test required individuals to repeat their initial maximal exercise test. The subjects were then imaged every 10 min until 60 min were reached. The submaximal stress test involved arm cranking for 2.5 min at 0.6 W·kg⁻¹, followed by 2.5 min of rest, repeated for 60 min. The final stress test was a 60 min seated resting session. The clearance rate (CR) and axillary uptake (AX) were determined. Only AX post maximal exercise was significantly different between trained and untrained, p = 0.009. All other measures of lymphatic function between groups were similar. Conclusion: This study demonstrates no significant difference in lymphatic function between upper body trained and untrained females.