Body composition and serum lipids in female runners: influence of exercise level and menstrual bleeding pattern

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Abstract
The impact of running and menstrual disturbances on regional and total body fat distribution and serum lipids was investigated in 205 women. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The total fat mass in the elite runners was approximately half of the normally active's (7.3 [0.48] kg vs. 14.3 [0.49] kg, P < 0.001) (mean [SEM]). The difference was most pronounced in the abdomen (fat percentage 9.7 [0.85]% vs. 22.0 [0.88]%, P < 0.001). The elite runners tended to have a more favourable lipid profile than the normally active (NS). A significant relation was found between lipoproteins and body fatness. In comparison with the regularly menstruating runners (n = 93), the 13 runners with amenorrhea tended to have less body fat and slightly less favourable lipid profiles (NS). In conclusion, regular exercise was associated with a low abdominal fat percentage, which may affect cardiovascular risk beneficially. Running-associated menstrual dysfunctions were not significantly related to a specific body composition or serum lipid profile.