Abstract des Autors

The menstrual cycle was studied in 17 female recreational athletes and 13 non-athletic controls of the same age group. In addition to blood samples taken daily for the duration of one cycle, serial ultrasound examinations were performed. We detected anovulatory cycles in six and an impaired luteal phase in one athlete. All control subjects showed normal follicular development. A disturbance of the luteal phase was seen in two non-athletes. Caloric intake, as assessed by nutritional diaries, was not higher in athletes than in control subjects. All athletes showed a significantly reduced fat intake. There was a significant positive correlation between follicular phase estradiol and caloric intake. Significant negative correlations were found between follicular phase estradiol and duration of daily training and maximal oxygen consumption. In conclusion, recreational endurance training is associated with anovulatory cycles. Altered nutrition seems to be an important contributing factor in the pathogenesis of subclinical menstrual cycle disturbances. Verf.-Referat