Athletic History Research Articles

The effect of marathon training upon menstrual function

Detailed questionnaires were distributed to the 1,841 women who entered the 1979 New York City Marathon; the questions pertained to obstetric, gynecologic, and athletic histories, as well as height and weight. The incidence of oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea among the 394 respondents was 24% during training and 19% prior to training. The incidence of infertility among respondents was 10%. Of those women who had had regular menses prior to training, 93% continued to have regular menses during training. Amenorrheic women were significantly lighter (P < 0.005) than regularly menstruating women and had significantly lower weight/height ratios (P < 0.0005). The best predictor of a woman's menstrual pattern during training was her pretraining menstrual pattern. Thinness was associated with amenorrhea, regardless of training.

A Physiological Profile of Four Wheelchair Marathon Racers.

In brief A profile of four wheelchair marathon racers (WMRs) is presented including an athletic history, dietary habits, maximal oxygen uptake, and average race pace oxygen uptake (Vo2) values. These values were compared with those of able-bodied marathon runners matched for age and race time. The WMRs had lower Vo2 max, maximal heart rates, and higher respiratory exchange ratios, and they used a higher percentage of their Vo2 max and maximal heart rate at race pace. The authors suggest that a high degree of training is required to perform the grueling marathon.

Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Endurance Performance

By means of a 12-minute field test, the effect of cigarette smoking on endurance performance was measured in 419 airmen before and after six weeks of basic training. In 47 airmen, cardiopulmonary indexes also were obtained during maximal treadmill performance. Field testing showed that endurance performance was inversely related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the duration of smoking. The training response also was impaired significantly in the smokers. During treadmill studies, smokers had a decrease in respiratory minute volume and a lower oxygen consumption at equivalent heart rates than nonsmokers. Further statistical studies demonstrated not only the independent effect of smoking, but also the effect of prior athletic history and physical characteristics on endurance performance. The latter effects become less significant as physical training progressed.

Rachel Sargent Robinson: Sources for the History of Greek Athletics. In English translation, with Introductions, Notes, Bibliography, and Indexes. Pp. xii+289. Obtainable from Dr. Robinson at 338 Probasco Street, Cincinnati 20, Ohio. Paper, $4.25 post free.

Rachel Sargent Robinson: Sources for the History of Greek Athletics. In English translation, with Introductions, Notes, Bibliography, and Indexes. Pp. xii+289. Obtainable from Dr. Robinson at 338 Probasco Street, Cincinnati 20, Ohio. Paper, $4.25 post free. - Volume 8 Issue 3-4