THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CIRCULATING ANDROGEN HORMONES, MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE AND THE SYMPTOMS OF EATING DISORDERS AMONG FEMALE ATHLETES

Aim of the study: The aim was to analyse the possible associations between circulating androgen hormones, maximal oxygen uptake, and symptoms of eating disorders among female athletes. Method: In this cross-sectional study 72 female athletes participated. The scores from the 11 scales in Eating Disorders Inventory 2 (EDI 2) were used to disclose the symptoms in traits of eating disorders (ED). A maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) test stated the athlete’s physical endurance capacity, while fasting serum samples were collected for the analysis of circulating androgen hormones (CAH). The mean VO2max (53.4 ml/kg/min) divided the athletes in two groups, lower and higher VO2max. Statistics used in the analysis were descriptive, correlations, linear regression and independent-samples t-tests (P-value