Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Professional Female Rhythmic Gymnasts

Abstract

The aim of this research was to compare menstrual cycles, menstrual disorders, and the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in professional female gymnasts and their peers who donot practice any sport, and to identify factors causing a predisposition to premenstrual tension syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorders in both groups. The prospective study involved apopulation of 85 girls. The study group consisted of 45 professional female gymnasts (15–17 years of age) who lived inthe territory of Silesia, in the southern area of Poland. The control group consisted of 40 girls of the same age who lived in the same area but did not professionally practice any sport. The research tools included a questionnaire, a daily diary of PMS symptoms, a daily diary of PMDD symptoms, and a premenstrual symptom screening tool (PSST). The study showed that intensive physical activity undertaken by girls before their first menstruation is a menarche-delaying factor andthat competitive sport promotes premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The risk factors for PMS and PMDD were also identified, andincluded alcohol and coffee consumption.

Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome in Korean Female National Athletes and Associated Risk Factors

“…According to the other study, however, caffeine and alcohol intake was significantly correlated with the incidence of premenstrual symptoms (PMS, PMDD) among elite gymnasts 12 . Other previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption after menstruation was significantly associated with the development of PMS…”

“…In a study of medium to long-distance female athletes in Poland, . In a study of 52 Brazilian female football players, 59.6% of athletes had PMS 11 , and in a study of 45 Polish female gymnasts, 48.89% of athletes were shown to have PMS 12 . The reported prevalence of PMS varies according to the study subjects.…”

“…An 8-week study comparing aerobic and resistance exercise reported that both types of exercise improved symptoms of PMS although the aerobic exercise group showed more benefit, especially in relieving depressive symptoms during the premenstrual period The point that participants are athletes who exercise regularly may explain our relatively low prevalence of PMS. However, there are some reports 6,11,12 that the prevalence of PMS is high among elite female athletes. It is therefore difficult to generalize that low PMS prevalence is due to the exercise of elite female athletes in this study.…”

Meta-Analisis Pengaruh Aktivitas Fisik terhadap Kejadian Sindrom Pra-Menstruasi

“…Sebagian besar penelitian yang dilakukan untuk mengetahui hubungan aktivitas fisik dengan munculnya sindrom pra-menstruasi menunjukkan bahwa aktivitas fisik merupakan faktor protektif terhadap terjadinya sindrom pra-menstruasi. Namun demikian, ditemukan penelitian yang menunjukkan hasil yang bertolak belakang, bahwa aktivitas fisik memicu terjadinya sindrom pramenstruasi (11). Pada penelitian tersebut, dijelaskan bahwa aktivitas fisik yang dimaksud meliputi aktivitas olahraga kompetitif.…”

Health Pedagogy and Sport: Attitudes and Practices of Gymnastics Coaches

“…This phenomenon is also accentuated by the role that makes the aesthetic component in this discipline [7]. Menarche's delay and eating disorders are common in gymnasts, which are considered a high-risk group of malnutrition [8,9].…”