BODY-COMPOSITION AND SERUM-LIPIDS IN FEMALE RUNNERS - INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE LEVEL AND MENSTRUAL BLEEDING PATTERN

The impact of running and menstrual disturbances on regional and total body fat distribution and serum lipids was investigated in 205 women. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Th e total fat mass in the elite runners was approximately half of the no rmally active's (7.3 [0.48] kg vs. 14.3 [0.49]kg, P< 0.001) (mean [SEM ]). The difference was most pronounced in the abdomen (fat percentage 9.7 [0.85]% vs. 22.0 [0.88]%, P< 0001). The elite runners tended to ha ve a more favourable lipid profile than the normally active (NS). A si gnificant relation was found between lipoproteins and body fatness. In comparison with the regularly menstruating runners (n=93), the 13 run ners with amenorrhea tended to have less body fat and slightly less fa vourable lipid profiles (NS). In conclusion, regular exercise was asso ciated with a low abdominal fat percentage, which may affect cardiovas cular risk beneficially. Running-associated menstrual dysfunctions wer e not significantly related to a specific body composition or serum li pid profile.