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[Physical activity and reproductive health]
1Avdeling for idrettsmedisin Norges idrettshøgskole Postboks 4014 Ullevål Stadion 0806 Oslo. jorunn@nih.no
Summary
Physically active women should ensure adequate energy intake to maintain regular menstrual cycles. Moderate exercise during pregnancy is generally recommended, but intensive training effects remain unclear.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Sports medicine
- Exercise physiology
Context:
- Physical activity significantly influences female reproductive health.
- Athletes, particularly those in leanness-dependent sports, exhibit higher rates of menstrual irregularities.
- The relationship between exercise, energy balance, and hormonal function is complex.
Purpose:
- To review current knowledge on the impact of physical activity on reproductive health in women.
- To synthesize findings on exercise effects on menstrual function and pregnancy outcomes.
Summary:
- Intensive exercise can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to menstrual irregularities, often linked to low body weight, low body fat, energy deficit, and nutrient deficiency.
- Menstrual irregularities in athletes are associated with bone mass loss and should not be disregarded.
- While moderate exercise during pregnancy appears beneficial, evidence on intensive training's effects is limited.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of sufficient energy intake for physically active women to preserve regular menstruation.
- Recommends moderate exercise during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for further research on high-intensity training impacts.