ISAK Home

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2021): Volume 1, Issue 1, Year 2021

Articles

Understanding anthropometry, metabolism and menstrual status of Japanese college female long-distance runners

  • Sayumi Iwamoto,
  • Kiyoko Sugita,
  • Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata,
  • Masaharu Kagawa,
  • Masako Ota,
  • Teturo Suzuki,
  • Patria Anne Hume
Sayumi Iwamoto
Faculty of Human Life Design, Toyo University, WELLB-HUB2 1-7-11, Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650.
Kiyoko Sugita
Faculty of Human Life Design, Toyo University, WELLB-HUB2 1-7-11, Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650
Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata
Faculty of Applied Biosciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
Masaharu Kagawa
Institute of Nutrition Sciences, Kagawa Nutrition University, 3-9-21 Chiyoda, Sakado, Saitama 350-0288, Japan.
Masako Ota
Faculty of Food and Nutrition Science, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun Gunma 374-0193, Japan
Teturo Suzuki
Faculty of Applied Biosciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
Patria Anne Hume
Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place Rosedale Auckland, 0632, New Zealand.
PDF
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2113

Published 31-12-2021

Keywords

  • Female long-distance runners,
  • Metabolism,
  • Energy availability,
  • Menstrual dysfunction,
  • Anthropometry

How to Cite

Iwamoto, S., Sugita, K., Ishikawa-Takata, K., Kagawa, M., Ota, M., Suzuki, T., & Hume, P. A. (2021). Understanding anthropometry, metabolism and menstrual status of Japanese college female long-distance runners. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 1(1), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2113

Copyright (c) 2021 Iwamoto Sayumi, Kiyoko Sugita, Ishikawa-Takata Kazuko, Kagawa Masaharu, Masako Ota, Teturo Suzuki, Patria Anne Hume

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Dimensions

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

Aim: To understand the anthropometry, metabolism, and menstrual status of Japanese collegiate female long-distance runners. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 29 Japanese college female long-distance runners divided into three menstruation status groups: 1) Regular; 2) Irregular; and 3) Amenorrhea. The amenorrhea group was further divided into participants who consulted a gynecologist and those who did not. Metabolism was measured using resting metabolic rate, total energy expenditure, and physical activity level. Energy was measured using energy intake, exercise energy expenditure, and energy availability (EA). Anthropometric measurements were performed following standardized techniques from the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Results: Of the 29 runners, 68% had menstrual dysfunction. The amenorrhea group who had consulted a gynecologist had lower body mass index (BMI) and lower skinfolds than the other groups. All groups had more than 30 kcal/kg fat free mass/day for EA with no difference between the groups. Conclusions: There was high prevalence of menstrual dysfunction in the female Japanese college long-distance runners. Runners with amenorrhea had lower BMI and lower skinfolds than the other groups, despite having consulted a gynecologist for medical support. All the runners had an energy deficiency higher than the published threshold; therefore, this threshold did not differentiate the amenorrhea or irregular menstruating athletes from regular menstruating athletes. Longitudinal tracking of athletes should include measurement of height, body mass, and skinfolds to enable evaluation of BMI, the sum of eight skinfold sites, and leanness ratio score as possible indicators over time for menstrual dysfunction.

PDF

References

  1. Abe M., Kajiwara Y. and Shimeki I. (1986). A Study of Conditioning of Marathon Runner for Womern in Japan. (No. 2) : A Investigation about Menstrual condition from the beginning to present condition of training in the marathon. Annual Report of the Faculty of Education Bunkyo University, 20: 94 - 103.
  2. Awdishu S., Williams N.I., Laredo S.E., De Souza M.J. (2009). Oligomenorrhoea in exercising women: a polycystic ovarian syndrome phenotype or distinct entity?. Sports Medicine, 39(12): 1055-1069.
  3. Barrack M., Fredericson M., Dizon F., Tenforde A., Kim B., Kraus E., Kussman A., Singh S., Nattiv A. (2021). Dietary Supplement Use According to Sex and Triad Risk Factors in Collegiate Endurance Runners. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(2): 404-410.
  4. Barrow G. W. Saha S. (1988). Menstrual irregularity and stress fractures in collegiate female distance runners. American Journal of Sports Medicine ,16(3): 209.
  5. Black M. I., Allen S.J., Forrester S.E, Folland J.P. (2020). The Anthropometry of Economical Running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise ,52(3): 762-770.
  6. Borg G. A. (1973). Perceived exertion: a note on history and methods. Medicine & Science in Sports ,5(2): 90-93.
  7. Brandon L. J., Boileau R.A. (1992). Influence of metabolic, mechanical and physique variables on middle distance running. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 32(1): 1-9.
  8. Dale E., Alexander C.R., Gerlach D.H., Martin D.E. (1981). Hormone profiles of women long-distance runners. In, Poortmans, J. and G. Niset (eds.), Biochemistry of exercise IV-B, Baltimore, University Park Press, 1981, p. 218-228.
  9. Dale E., Gerlach, D. H. Martin D.E., Alexander C.R. (1979). Physical fitness profiles and reproductive physiology of the female distance runner. Physician and Sportsmedicine 7(1): 83-86.
  10. Dale E., Gerlach D.H., Wilhite A.L. (1979). Menstrual dysfunction in distance runners. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 54(1): 47-53.
  11. De Souza M. J. Miller B.E. (1997). The effect of endurance training on reproductive function in male runners : a volume threshold nypothesis (Effet de l'entrainement d'endurance sur la fonction reproductive chez les coureurs : hypothese d'un volume seuil.). Sports Medicine, 23(6): 357-374.
  12. Goodwin Y., Monyeki M.A., Ridder J.H.D., Boit M.K., Mwangi F.M., Wachira J.L. Toriola A.L. (2014). Association between energy availability and menstrual function in elite Kenyan runners science. African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance .20(21): 291-307.
  13. Heath B. H., Carter J.E. L. (1967). A modified somatotype method. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 27(1): 57-74.
  14. Heikura I. A., Uusitalo A.L.T., Stellingwerff T., Bergland D., Mero A.A., Burke L.M. (2018). Low Energy Availability Is Difficult to Assess but Outcomes Have Large Impact on Bone Injury Rates in Elite Distance Athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 28(4): 403-411.
  15. Joy E., Kussman A., Nattiv A.(2016). 2016 update on eating disorders in athletes: A comprehensive narrative review with a focus on clinical assessment and management. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(3): 154-162.
  16. Kajiwara Y. Shimeki I. (1993). Menstrual Disorders and Injuries in Long Distance Runners of Senior High School Girls. Annual Report of the Faculty of Education Bunkyo University, 27(1): 143-147.
  17. Kikuchi M., Nakamura I., Kashimura O. (2008). The athletic factors and status of irregular cycle and amenorrhea in the female college middle and long-distance runners. Japanese Journal of School Health ,50(1): 49-55.
  18. Kinoshita N., Fukuda R. (2016). Secular Trend in Thinness Prevalence for 26 Years (1989 - 2014) among High School Runners in Japan. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. 7(4): e35970.
  19. Loucks A., Kiens B., H. Wright (2011). Energy availability in athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29: S7-S15.
  20. Loucks A. B. (2003). Introduction to menstrual disturbances in athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 35(9): 1551-1552.
  21. Loucks A. B. (2007). Low Energy Availability in the Marathon and Other Endurance Sports.Sports Medicine,37(4/5): 347-352.
  22. Loucks A. B., Thuma J.R. (2003). Luteinizing hormone pulsatility is disrupted at a threshold of energy availability in regularly menstruating women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinol & Metabolism. 88(1): 297-311.
  23. Manore M. M., Kam L.C., Loucks A.B. (2007). The female athlete triad: components, nutrition issues, and health consequences. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(1): S61-71.
  24. Melin A., B. Tornberg B. Å, S. Skouby S., S. S. Møller S.S., J. Sundgot-Borgen J., J. Faber J., J. J. Sidelmann J.J., M. Aziz M., Sjödin A (2015). "Energy availability and the female athlete triad in elite endurance athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(5): 610-622.
  25. Ministry of Education, C., Sports, Science and Technology. (2015). Standards Tables of Food Composition in Japan -2015- (Seventh Revised Edition) Documentation and Table. Retrieved 1205, 2020, from https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/science_technology/policy/title01/detail01/sdetail01/sdetail01/1385122.htm.
  26. Mountjoy M., Sundgot-Borgen J, Burke L., Ackerman K.E., Blauwet C., Constantini N., Lebrun C.L., Lundy B., A. Melin A., N. Meyer N., Sherman R., Tenforde A.S., Torstveit M.K., Budgett R.(2018). International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): 2018 Update. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 28(4): 316-331.
  27. Muia E. N., Wright H.H., Onywera V.O., Kuria E.N. (2016). Adolescent elite Kenyan runners are at risk for energy deficiency, menstrual dysfunction and disordered eating. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(7): 598-606.
  28. Nattiv A., Loucks A.B., Manore M.M., Sanborn C.F., Sundgot-Borgen J.,Warren M.P..(2007). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. The female athlete triad. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(10): 1867-1882.
  29. Otis C. L., Drinkwater B., Johnson M., Loucks A., Wilmore J. (1997). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. The Female Athlete Triad. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, 29(5): i-ix.
  30. Park J., Ishikawa-Takata K., Tanaka S., Hikihara Y., Ohkawara K., Watanabe S., Miyachi M., Morita A., Aiba N., Tabata I.(2011). Relation of body composition to daily physical activity in free-living Japanese adult women. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(7): 1117-1127.
  31. Schoeller D. A. (2009). The energy balance equation: looking back and looking forward are two very different views. Nutrition Reviews 67(5): 249-254.
  32. Souza M. J. D., Maresh C.M., Abraham A., Camaione D.N. (1988). Body Compositions of Eumenorrheic, Oligomenorrheic and Amenorrheic Runners. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2(1): 13-15.
  33. Souza M. J. D., Nattiv A., Joy E., Misra M., Williams N.I., Mallinson R.J., Gibbs J.C., Olmsted M., Goolsby M., Matheson G.(2014). 2014 Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement on Treatment and Return to Play of the Female Athlete Triad: 1st International Conference held in San Francisco, California, May 2012 and 2nd International Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2013. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(4): 289.
  34. Sundgot‐Borgen J., Torstveit M.K. (2010). Aspects of disordered eating continuum in elite high-intensity sports.Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports , 20: 112-121.
  35. Suzuki N. (2001). Physical Characteristics and Fitness of the Championship Team in Japan Inter-University Women's EKIDEN (part 1). Josai University bulletin liberal arts. Natural Science Health and Physical Education, 25: 71-81.
  36. Toombs R. J., G. Ducher G., Shepherd J.A., De Souza M.J. (2012). The impact of recent technological advances on the trueness and precision of DXA to assess body composition. Obesity, 20(1): 30-39.
  37. Torstveit M. K., Rosenvinge J.H., Sundgot‐Borgen J. (2008). Prevalence of eating disorders and the predictive power of risk models in female elite athletes: a controlled study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 18(1): 108-118.
  38. Weir J. B. (1949). New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism. Journal of Physiology, 109(2): 1-9.
  39. Yoshida A., Ishikawa-Takata K., Suzuki N., Kushibe S., Iso S., Taguchi M., Tanaka S., Higuchi M. (2015). A new approach to assessment of energy expenditure during physical training. japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine, 64(1): 125-134.