Relationship of menstrual function to anthropometric measurements, training, and diet in female runners

Includes bibliographical references (pages [60]-68)Menstrual dysfunction is a common problem among female athletes, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal problems. Fifty-one adolescent female runners, participating in a cross country camp for high school girls, had height and weight measurements taken, and were questioned concerning menstrual function, training, and diet. The subjects also completed three-day food records during the camp. Fourteen subjects were classified as amenorrheic, fifteen as oligomenorrheic, and twenty-two as eumenorrheic. No significant differences were found between the three groups in age, height, weight, age when they started running, number of years run, mileage, total calories, grams of protein, percentage of calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, or vitamin C intakes. A significant difference was found in body mass index (BMI) only between the amenorrheic and eumenorrheic groups (18.37 vs. 20.10). Age of menarche was also found to be significantly different between the amenorrheic and eumenorrheic groups (14.14 vs. 12.59 years) and also between the oligomenorrheic and eumenorrheic groups (14.07 vs. 12.59 years). Training was not found to significantly delay menarche.M.S. (Master of Science