4 research outputs found
Bone mineral content of amenorrheic and eumenorrheic athletes
This study was designed to determine whether the hypoestrogenic status of
14 amenorrheic athletes was associated with a decrease in regional bone
mass relative to that of 14 of their eumenorrheic peers. The two groups of
athletes were matched for age, height, weight, sport, and training
regimens. Bone mass was measured by dual-photon and single-photon
absorptiometry at the lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L4) and at two sites on the
radius. Vertebral mineral density was significantly lower in the
amenorrheic group (mean, 1.12 g per square centimeter) than in the
eumenorrheic group (mean, 1.30 g per square centimeter). There was no
significant difference at either radial site. Radioimmunoassay confirmed a
lower mean estradiol concentration (amenorrheic group, 38.58 pg per
milliliter; eumenorrheic group, 106.99 pg per milliliter) and progesterone
peak (amenorrheic group, 1.25 ng per milliliter; eumenorrheic group, 12.75
ng per milliliter) in the amenorrheic women, in four venous samples drawn
at seven-day intervals. A three-day dietary history showed no significant
differences in nutritional intake, including calcium with and without
supplements. The two groups were similar in percentage of body fat, age at
menarche, years of athletic participation, and frequency and duration of
training but differed in number of miles run per week (amenorrheic group,
41.8 miles [67.3 km]; eumenorrheic group, 24.9 miles [40.1 km]). We
conclude that the amenorrhea that is observed in female athletes may be
accompanied by a decrease in mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae