Hormonal and physiological responses to exercise in relation to the menstrual cycle

The symposium presented in this issue is both an example and a result of the current interest and active research in the area of women and exercise. In the past few years, interest has focused on two overlapping areas: 1. the effect of exercise and training on menstrual function and exercise related amenorrhea 2. the effect of the menstrual cycle, with its varying basal concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, on the hormonal and physiological responses to exercise. This paper will address the latter area and will review our own work as well as that of others.