Menstrual function in adolescent athletes has received limited investigation.
Objective: In a sample of female high school cross-country (XC) athletes, the purposes of the investigation were to (1) describe menstrual function (history and inseason), (2) describe the relationship between menstrual function and variables including body mass index (BMI), high school year, current year of running, total years running, training distance, racing pace, additional organized sport participation other than XC, and participation in XC practices and races, (3) determine the relationship between menstrual function and self-reported interfering exercise related leg pain (ERLP), and (4) determine the relationship between menstrual function history and menstrual function during a XC season.
Study group: 62 female high school XC athletes.
Methods: A prospective cohort design was used. Athletes were asked to complete an initial questionnaire querying several variables including menstrual function and ERLP history. At the end of the XC season, athletes were asked to complete a postseason questionnaire regarding menstrual function and ERLP during the XC season.
Results: Of the athletes, 25.8% (16/62) reported abnormal menstrual function history and 34.9% reported abnormal menstrual function inseason. Abnormal menstrual function history was a risk for previous interfering ERLP (RR = 3.00, CI: 1.09, 8.29), and abnormal menstrual function history was a risk for abnormal menstrual function inseason (RR = 4.11, CI: 1.75, 9.62).
Conclusions: Abnormal menstrual function was present in this sample of athletes and was a risk for previous interfering ERLP and future episodes of abnormal menstrual function.