Abstract des Autors

Evidence for an adverse impact of sports on female pituitary-gonadal axis has been provided by many studies. Clinical manifestations are variable according to the extent of involvement of pituitary-hypophysal axis, with sometimes obvious symptoms (eg, amenorrhea) and most frequently abnormalities that could be detected only by sophisticated endocrinological testing. Mechanisms responsible for this inhibition of pituitary-gonadal axis are better understood. Inhibition results from disturbances in the pulsatile pattern of GnRH release. Exercise characteristics as well as nutritional status appear to be major factors in this process and are discussed here. Exercising in some conditions for some women can lead via hypothalamo-pituitary disturbances to major effects such as sterility, osteoporosis, or abnormalities of blood lipids, ie, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Sport appears to be only one factor among several that can induce hypothalamo-pituitary disturbances in exercising women. Verf.-Referat