Eating behaviours, menstrual history and the athletic career: a retrospective survey from adolescence to adulthood in female endurance athletes

Abstract

AimTo evaluate differences in menstrual and pubertal history and trends in eating behaviours among women with and without a competitive sports background. Additionally, we investigated if menstrual history and eating behaviours are associated with sports career-related factors.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted on 100 women with a competitive endurance sports background and their age-matched, gender-matched and municipality-matched controls (n=98). Data were collected using a questionnaire using previously validated instruments. Generalised estimating equations were used to calculate associations of menstrual history and eating behaviours with outcome variables (career length, participation level, injury-related harms and career termination due to injury).ResultsAthletes reported higher rates of delayed puberty and menstrual dysfunction than controls. No differences between the groups were observed in the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire short form (EDE-QS) scores at any age. Previous disordered eating (DE) was associated with current DE in both groups. Among athletes, higher EDE-QS scores during the sports career were associated with a shorter career (B=−0.15, 95% CI −0.26 to –0.05). Secondary amenorrhoea was associated with lower participation level (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.95), injury-related harms during the career (OR 4.00, 95% CI 1.88 to 8.48) and career termination due to injury (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.51).ConclusionThe findings indicate that DE behaviours and menstrual dysfunction, specifically secondary amenorrhoea, have a disadvantageous relationship with a sports career in women competing in endurance sports. DE during the sports career is associated with DE after the career.

Menstrual cycles and the impact upon performance in elite British track and field athletes: a longitudinal study

“…Moreover, we demonstrated herein that age at menarche is also influenced by discipline, with those athletes in the throwing subcategory having a mean age at menarche of 12.8, whereas endurance athletes had a significantly later age at menarche at 14.2 years. This is in line with a recent study which found the age of menarche in specifically endurance athletes was 14 years, compared to 12.5 in the non-athletic control group ( 20 ). This is of relevance given that delayed menarche can be a sign of REDs; the hypooestrogenic state may impair longterm bone health and have implications particularly from a sports injury perpesctive ( 4 , 6 ).…”

Metabolic hormones are integral regulators of female reproductive health and function

“…Studies in human populations exemplary of a negative energy balance have shed light on aberrant menstrual patterns. Ballet dancers [ 15 , 16 ] and athletes [ 17 , 18 ] engaged in high physical activity may have a delayed pubertal onset. Additionally, disordered eating, excessive exercise, or lifestyle stressors can cause menses loss in erstwhile normal-ovulatory women [ 19–22 ].…”