Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between nutrition and menstrual cycle interval disturbance (MD) in 562 (91) female runners in an ultramarathon, who responded to a questionnaire. Significant MD (absent menses, long- and short-cycle intervals) was present in 11 of respondents, whereas 46 had a history of MD. High weekly training distance, low body mass, and low body mass index (BMI) were not associated with increased prevalence of current MD. Of the 61 runners with MD, 38 were compared with controls with normal cycle lengths who had no history of MD and who matched subjects for age, BMI, menarche, training distance, and racing performance. These 38 matched pairs kept a 7-day dietary record. Subjects and controls had similar macr- and micronutrient intakes. Energy intake was below the recommended daily allowance for sedentary women, but protein intake was above the RDA. No particular micronutrient appeared to predispose to MD, though intkaes of some were low. Daily fluctuations in macronutrient intakte and prevalence of disturbed eating behaviors were not different. Of the 38 subjects with MD, 55 had MD before running. In conclusion, undernutrition was not associated with MD in these vigorously active runners, in whom the prevalences of MD, excessive dieting, and poor nutrition were also low. Verf.-Referat