RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY INDICES, MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) WITH VITAMIN D IN SEDENTARY WOMEN: A DESCRIPTIVE CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Background & Aims: Recently, results of studies show that serum levels of vitamin D considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular system as well as important markers of skeletal muscle and body mass index (BMI). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between echocardiography indices, muscular strength, and BMI with vitamin D in sedentary postmenopausal women. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, 54 postmenopausal women (54.57±6.16 yrs) took part as subjects. General & anthropometric characteristics of height, weight, and BMI in subjects were measured by wall-meter, a digital scale, and DXA machines, respectively. Cardiac indices were measured using an echocardiography Doppler machine. Upper and lower body strength were measured via one-repetition maximum (1-RM) on chest press and Squat Smith machines, respectively. Handgrip (HG) strength was assessed using an HG dynamometer in the angle of 90 degrees from the elbow. Vitamin D levels were measured using ELISA kit vitamin D from blood samples brachial vein. Data analysis was used by descriptive & inferential (Pearson-Correlation Coefficient) statistical methods and SPSS-23 software. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between vitamin D and cross-section of the aorta and aortic velocity time integral (AOVTI) (P<0.05), While there is no significant relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and cardiac index, muscle strength of upper & lower limbs, and BMI (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that cardiac index, muscle strength, and BMI in postmenopausal women are not altered serum levels of vitamin D while vascular indices such as a cross-section of the aorta and AOVTI affected by serum levels of vitamin D that these changes to reverse.