22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Determining the Relationships Among Factors Influencing Amenorrhea in College Female Distance Runners
Danna K. Kelly* and Michelle L. Stein
Dr. Jerry L. Mayhew , Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships among eating profile, social physique anxiety, menstrual history, and basic demographic information. Female college cross-country runners (n = 14) from two conference schools provided demographic data (age, height, body weight, and %fat) and completed an eating disorder survey (EAT-26), social physique anxiety (SPA) questionnaire, and menstrual log. The correlation between EAT-26 and irregularity of menstrual cycle was not significant (r = 0.11). EAT-26 was significantly correlated with SPA (r = 0.65) but not with % body fat (r = 0.05) or history of eating disorder (r = -0.05). Age was significantly with menstrual irregularity (r = -0.66) and the use of birth control (r = -0.71). Results indicate that further study might be required to isolate the specific factors that predispose female distance runners to amenorrhea.
Keywords: amenorrhea, eating disorder , social physique anxiety, body fat , menstrual irregularity, birth control
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 15-2
Location: VH 1000
Time: 8:30