1.
Premenstrual symptoms interference and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes: A cross-sectional study.
Takeda, T, Ueno, T, Uchiyama, S, Shiina, M
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research. 2018;(3):488-494
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Abstract
AIM: Consumption of soy isoflavones reduces the risk of estrogen-related diseases, such as menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Equol is metabolized from the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal bacteria and has higher bioavailability than other isoflavones. Equol producers are believed to benefit from soybean consumption to a greater extent than non-producers. Recently, we showed that equol non-producers were at significant risk of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Previously, we reported that PMS is a common menstrual problem in female athletes, and almost half of the studied athletes felt a negative effect of premenstrual symptoms on their athletic performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between PMS and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study that included 88 Japanese female collegiate athletes. Equol production status was determined using urine samples collected after a soy challenge test. The subjects also completed a questionnaire about their premenstrual symptoms and their competitive career. RESULTS The prevalence of equol producers was 29.5% in Japanese collegiate athletes. The athletic performance of 54.5% of athletes was found to suffer in competition or in practice due to premenstrual symptoms. In multivariate analysis, equol non-producers (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-12.20) and restriction of bodyweight (odds ratio, 4.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-20.00) were shown to be significant risk factors for poor athletic performance. CONCLUSION This study showed a relation between athletic performance and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes.
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A brief review: the implications of iron supplementation for marathon runners on health and performance.
Zourdos, MC, Sanchez-Gonzalez, MA, Mahoney, SE
Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2015;(2):559-65
Abstract
The marathon is considered one of the most demanding endurance events, imposing an enormous amount of physiological stress on bodily structures, the metabolic machinery, and organ systems. Scientific evidence has conclusively shown that marathoners are in need of special nutritional strategies to maintain performance and health. Indeed, among competitive athletes, marathoners are at greater risk to develop anemia, bone mineral density loss, immunosuppression, and other clinical syndromes that may affect performance. Inadequate dietary intake of the micronutrient iron has been identified as one key factor in the development of the above mentioned anomalies. In fact, iron is one of the few nutrients recommended as a supplement by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), and Dietitians of Canada. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to discuss the role of iron on the marathoner's health and performance. Special emphasis will be given to the physiological mechanisms accounting for the additional iron need in this group of athletes and the nutritional strategies intended to counteract iron deficiency.
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The IOC consensus statement: beyond the Female Athlete Triad--Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).
Mountjoy, M, Sundgot-Borgen, J, Burke, L, Carter, S, Constantini, N, Lebrun, C, Meyer, N, Sherman, R, Steffen, K, Budgett, R, et al
British journal of sports medicine. 2014;(7):491-7
Abstract
Protecting the health of the athlete is a goal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC convened an expert panel to update the 2005 IOC Consensus Statement on the Female Athlete Triad. This Consensus Statement replaces the previous and provides guidelines to guide risk assessment, treatment and return-to-play decisions. The IOC expert working group introduces a broader, more comprehensive term for the condition previously known as 'Female Athlete Triad'. The term 'Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport' (RED-S), points to the complexity involved and the fact that male athletes are also affected. The syndrome of RED-S refers to impaired physiological function including, but not limited to, metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, cardiovascular health caused by relative energy deficiency. The cause of this syndrome is energy deficiency relative to the balance between dietary energy intake and energy expenditure required for health and activities of daily living, growth and sporting activities. Psychological consequences can either precede RED-S or be the result of RED-S. The clinical phenomenon is not a 'triad' of the three entities of energy availability, menstrual function and bone health, but rather a syndrome that affects many aspects of physiological function, health and athletic performance. This Consensus Statement also recommends practical clinical models for the management of affected athletes. The 'Sport Risk Assessment and Return to Play Model' categorises the syndrome into three groups and translates these classifications into clinical recommendations.