Body Compositions of Eumenorrheic, Oligomenorrheic and Amenorrheic Runners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to examine the body composition of eumenorrheic (EU; n=9), oligomenorrheic (OLIG; n=9) and amenorrheic (AA; n=9) runners derived from underwater weighing and 2) to determine if skinfold measures, utilizing the Jackson, Pollock and Ward generalized regression equation, accurately describe the body composition of these female athelets compared to underwater weighing. The volunteers, aged 18 to 33 years, had been running a minimum of 25 miles per week for at least one year. The three groups were similar in the number of years running, but the AA subjects did run more miles per week (p<0.0l) than the EU runners; weekly mileage was similar in the AA and OLIG groups. AA and OLIG runners weighed significantly less (p<0.05,) than their EU counterparts (55.8 ± 4.4, 56.0 ± 2.8 and 62.6 ± 3.0 kg, respectively), and their body fat derived from both underwater weighing (UW) and skinfold (SK) techniques were significantly lower than the EU runners (UW:15.5, 15.9 and 20.9 percent and SK:16.9, 17.4, and 21.8 percent, respectively). The UW and SK techniques provided similar body fat percentage results (r=0.86). Lean body weights were similar in all three groups, therefore, the higher body fat percentage of the EU runners can be attributed to a larger (p<0.05) fat weight in these subjects (13.1 ± 1.8 kg) compared to the AA (8.7 ± 2.2 kg) and OLIG (8.9 ± 2.5 kg) subjects. Our results suggest that the Jackson, Pollock and Ward generalized regression equation can provide accurate estimates of body composition in these female athletes. Such information may be of practical importance to the coach, strength and conditioning specialist, or athletic trainer interested in monitoring training responses and/or nutritional intervention.