Relationship between weight management and menstrual status in female athletes: a cross-sectional survey

Kayoko Kamemoto*, Mizuki Yamada, Tomoka Matsuda, Hazuki Ogata, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Mikako Sakamaki-Sunaga

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of weight management on menstrual status in female athletes. A total of 225 collegiate athletes and 27 para-athletes who belonged to teams affiliated with the Japanese Paralympic Committee were included in this cross-sectional survey. A self-reported questionnaire (containing information on the demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle habits, weight management, menstruation status, physical symptoms related to menstrual cycle, and the influence of physical symptoms experienced during the luteal phase of menstruation during training or competition.) was used to assess the results. In the collegiate athletes, the rate of regular menstrual cycle was significantly lower in those with weight loss than in those without (56.7% vs. 75.0%, P < .05). Furthermore, stress fractures were found significantly more often in those with weight loss than those without (36.1% vs. 20.3%, P < .05). In the para-athletes, 46.2% of experience in weight loss had irregular menstruations (P < .01), and all of them had physical symptoms that negatively affected their training or competition (P < .05). To prevent menstrual dysfunction related to energy deficiency in female athletes with weight management, menstrual status must be considered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)819-827
Number of pages9
JournalWomen and Health
Volume61
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Female athlete triad
  • para-athletes
  • premenstrual syndrome
  • stress fracture
  • weight loss

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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