Age at menarche and prevalence of oligo/amenorrhea in top Polish athletes

Journal/Book: Amer J Hum Biol. 1998; 10: Div John Wiley & Sons Inc, 605 Third Ave, New York, NY 10158-0012. Wiley-Liss. 511-517.

Abstract: The representative sample of a population of top Polish athletes (> 75% of all participants in Poland's Winter and Summer National Championships during 1992-1994) was investigated using a questionnaire. The athletic group numbered 926 women in total. The control group (n = 708) in the same age range (15-37 years) as the athletes was randomly chosen from the Warsaw population. The mean menarcheal age of all athletes was 13.6 +/- 1.3 years, and it was statistically different fi om the controls (12.9 +/- 1.2 years). Athletes who started training before menarche were more numerous (661) than those who started training after menarche (265). The mean menarcheal age was also different for those groups (13.9 +/- 1.3 years vs. 13.0 +/- 1.3 years). In all sports except cross-country skiing and biathlon, the menarcheal age of girls starting training before menarche was later as compared to the age of those starting training after menarche. The prevalence of oligo/amenorrhea (less than or equal to 9 menstrual cycles per year) was much higher for all younger and premenarche trained athletes than postmenarche trained girls. This prevalence also was much higher for athletes than for controls. Early maturers were engaged in team games, fencing, and judo, but late maturers were engaged in cross-country skiing and biathlon, track and field-long and middle distances, and marathon. It may intricate the presence of the sport's selection factor.

Note: Article Skierska E, Acad Phys Educ Warsaw, Dept Biol & Med, Marymoncka 34 St, PL-01813 Warsaw, POLAND

Keyword(s): DELAYED MENARCHE; MENSTRUAL DISORDERS; BODY-COMPOSITION; FEMALE GYMNASTS; BALLET DANCERS; SWIMMERS; GROWTH; GIRLS; AMENORRHEA; EXERCISE

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