Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in pubertal development, body composition, and nutritional and antioxidative statuses between adolescent gymnasts and non-athletes. Twenty-one male (16.1-year-old) and 23 female (15.5-year-old) gymnasts participated in this study, and 22 male and 25 female non-athletes were used as controls. Male and female gymnasts had been intensively training for 8.2 and 7.4 years, respectively. Pubertal development was delayed in the female gymnast group. Among female gymnasts, 30.4% experienced delayed menarche, and 50% of pubertal gymnasts had menstrual irregularities. Gymnasts were significantly shorter and leaner, and had less body fat than the controls (p <0.05). In addition, gymnasts had significantly lower plasma vitamin C, glutathione, and total antioxidant levels than did the controls (p <0.05). In conclusion, female gymnasts had a higher incidence of menstrual disorders. All gymnasts were shorter and leaner, and also had a different dietary status, lower iron, antioxidant levels than did the controls.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 114-122 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Nutritional Sciences Journal |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2003 |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Anthropometry
- Gymnasts
- Nutrient intake
- Oxidative stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Food Science