Coaching communication issues with elite female athletes: two Norwegian case studies.

The aim of this study was to examine the careers of two successful female elite athletes who later stagnated, and to identify possible factors that might have led to their demotivation. Individual interviews and a focus group interview were conducted. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the stories of April and Hazel raised several issues related to coaching, coach education, and the development of female athletes. Their individual profiles revealed that their perception of the lack of long-term development was caused by coach miscommunication, having to cope with sudden fame, and injuries provoked by overtraining. The coach-athlete relationship was discussed with a focus on the inexperience of some coaches, the number of coaches the athletes had to deal with, sociolinguistic issues, and the differing criteria of success communicated. Finally, the importance of their national governing bodies to focus on knowledge transfer, the supervision of coaches, and the infrastructure to monitor athletes were discussed.

Energy balance in weight stable athletes with and without menstrual disorders.

The energy balance and nutritional adequacy was assessed in a group of runners with irregular menstrual function (IR, n = 10) and in a comparable group of runners with normal menstrual function (R, n = 10). Based on computerized records of 3 days food intake, the mean content of energy and macronutrients were estimated. Excess energy expenditure (EEE) during training hours was estimated using HF monitoring and individual HF/VO2 nomograms. For the rest of a daily 24 h cycle, estimated values for basal metabolic rate (BMR) and sedentary metabolic rate were applied. Daily training-related excess energy expenditure (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs 2.2 +/- 0.4) MJ (Mean +/- SEM) and total energy expenditure (TEE) (11.0 +/- 0.3 vs 11.2 +/- 0.4) MJ in R vs IR were not different in the two groups. Calculated daily energy intake (EI) was, however, significantly lower in IR (9.7 +/- 0.5 MJ) than in R (12.3 +/- 0.7 MJ), (P = 0.007). Calculated EI and TEE were in balance in R athletes. When the same calculations were applied on IR athletes, a moderate but statistically significant negative energy balance was found (-1.5 +/- 0.6 MJ, P = 0.03). The calculated energy deficit was supported by significantly lower levels of free thyroxine in IR athletes, and may indicate an adaptive lower BMR in IR athletes. Mean intakes of carbohydrates (7.0 g/kg in R and 5.7 g/kg in IR) and protein (1.71 g/kg in R and 1.49 g/kg in IR) were close to guidelines. Intakes were not significantly different in the two groups. The most important difference in macronutrient intake was found in dietary fat (1.70 g/kg in R and 1.04 g/kg in IR) that was significantly lower in the IR group than in the R group (P = 0.007). The weight stable IR and R athletes seemed to meet the recommended intake of carbohydrates, protein and fat in their diet fairly well. However, according to the present calculations, a small energy deficit was observed in IR athletes but not in R athletes. Compared with the intake of the R athletes, this energy deficit seems primarily to be related to a lower intake of dietary fat in IR athletes.

Bone mineral density and menstrual irregularities. A comparative study on cortical and trabecular bone structures in runners with alleged normal eating behavior.

Bone mineral density (BMD), and associated biochemical and endocrine markers were compared in a group of runners with menstrual dysfunction (IR, n=13), and a group of performance matched eumenorrheic runners (R, n=15). All subjects claimed to have normal eating habits. Body height and weight, body mass index, and amount of body fat were similar. The IR group consisted of 5 presently oligomenorrheic (O) and 8 presently amenorrheic (A) runners. The BMD values of the athletes were additionally compared with corresponding values in a reference group (C) of healthy age matched controls (n=54). BMD values were significantly lower in IR compared with R on all measuring sites: Total body (-9%, p=0.03), femoral neck (-11%, p=0.01), lumbar spine (-12%, p=0.001), lower leg (-6.5%, p=0.03) and arms (-7%, p=0.01). In addition, IR athletes had lower total body (-5%, p=0.01), and lumbar spine BMD (-10%, p=0.001) than C. No differences were observed in serum IGF-1, SHBG, testosterone and cortisol, or in the biochemical marker of bone formation (osteocalcin) and bone resorption (1 CTP). Values of serum E2, FSH and LH were low in IR and normal in R. TSH was in the normal range in both groups, but f-T4 was significantly lower in IR than in R. The athletes were furthermore grouped according to past and present menstrual dysfunction severity. At all measuring sites, with the exception of the lower leg, increasing menstrual dysfunction severity was linearly associated with declining BMD values (p<0.05). In conclusion, even highly conditioned cortical bone tissue seems to be negatively related to menstrual disorders, which may serve to explain the high incidence of stress fractures in athletes with menstrual disorders. Single measurements of biochemical markers of bone resorption and formation may not reflect the current bone status.

Exercise intensity. An important factor in the etiology of menstrual dysfunction?

UNLABELLED: The objective of this case control study was to compare training activity in female long distance runners with irregular (IR, n = 13) and regular (R, n = 16) menstrual function, especially with regard to exercise intensity. Serum estradiol concentration during the follicular phase was considered normal in the R subjects (31 +/- 6 pg/I). In contrast, the IR runners were clearly hypoestrogenic (11 +/- 1.6 pg/l). The two groups had similar VO2max, anaerobic threshold (AT) and maximal heart frequency (HFmax). In both groups AT was found at 88% of HFmax. The two groups had similar mean race results in half marathons during the previous year. The number of running contests was, however, twice as high in the IR group. A light portable pulse recorder was used to monitor heart rate during 1 week of regular training activity, and during a controlled high intensity work-out. During a week with normal training activity, and equal amount of training at high intensity levels (> 85% HFmax) was performed by the two groups. The amount of training at lower intensities (< 85% HFmax) was, however, more extensive in the group with irregular menstrual function. During the controlled self-administered, high intensity work-out, the amounts of training at and above AT were equal in the two groups. IN CONCLUSION: no difference in extent of high intensity training between long distance runners with regular and irregular menstrual function could be found in the present study group. The IR runners did, however, have significantly more training activity at lower intensity levels, and more frequent race participation.

Prevalence of menstrual dysfunction in Norwegian long-distance runners participating in the Oslo Marathon games.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of athletic amenorrhea in a wide range of long-distance runners and the relation to possible risk factors. The study group consisted of 187 long-distance runners between 16 and 46 years of age. Information was obtained through a mailed questionnaire consisting of 32 different entries, including questions on age, leanness, training history, menstrual history, performance level, stress, as well as some sociological and nutritional aspects. Seventy-six per cent of the responding runners had normal menstrual function, 9.5% had minor irregularities (O), and 14.6% were amenorrheic (A), which is defined as absence of menstrual bleeding for more than 3 consecutive months the previous year. Half of the amenorrheic group had not had menstrual bleeding at all that year. The runners with menstrual disorders (O + A) had a significantly higher incidence of stress fractures. The most important factors associated with menstrual disorders were a feeling of conflict associated with food; age; and the age of menarche. There was no evidence that age of menarche was associated with an early training debut per se, the frequency and intensity of prepubertal training was not taken into account. All subgroups (E, O, and A) had low body mass index scores, and body composition did not seem to vary with menstrual status within the study group. Thus a high prevalence of menstrual disorders was observed in Norwegian long-distance runners, a condition associated with increased training loads, but even more with age, menarchal age and a feeling of nutritional conflict.

[Effect of 1-alpha blockader on maximal oxygen consumption and physical endurance in hypertensive men]. / Effekt av alpha 1-blokade på maksimalt oksygenopptak og fysisk utholdenhet hos hypertensive menn.

The effect of alpha 1 adrenoceptor blockade (doxazosin, 4 mg daily) on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and physical endurance capacity in 16 mildly hypertensive, athletic men was investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-period of 4 weeks, cross-over study. The maximal work load obtained during graded bicycle ergometer exercise and the VO2 max were reduced by 16 +/- 3 W (mean +/- SE) and 3 +/- 1 ml x kg-1 x min-1 on doxazosin (p < 0.001 for both), and the running time on 5000 m track increased by 43 +/- 12 sec (p < 0.05). Thus, alpha 1-blockade moderately reduces VO2 max and physical endurance capacity in mildly hypertensive athletic men. However, lower systolic blood pressure (9 +/- 4 mm Hg, p < 0.05) immediately after running, and unchanged heart rate suggest a safer performance of exercise.

Effect of alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade on maximal VO2 and endurance capacity in well-trained athletic hypertensive men.

The effect of alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade (doxazosin, 4 mg daily) on maximal VO2 and physical endurance capacity in 16 mildly hypertensive, athletic men was investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-period of 4 weeks, cross-over study. The maximal workload obtained during graded bicycle ergometer exercise and the corresponding maximal VO2 were reduced by 16 +/- 3 W (mean +/- SE), (P = .00003) and 3 +/- 1 mL/(kg.min) (P = .0004), respectively, on doxazosin compared with placebo. The running time on a 5000 m track increased by 43 +/- 12 sec on doxazosin (P = .04). Heart rate was unchanged during the running session. Systolic blood pressure was reduced by 9 +/- 4.1 mm Hg (P = .04) immediately after finishing 5000 m. Six subjects reported side effects from doxazosin (headache, fatigue, and leg pain). Thus, antihypertensive treatment with alpha 1-selective adrenoceptor blockade moderately, but significantly, reduces maximal O2 consumption and high intensity physical endurance capacity in mildly hypertensive athletic men. Significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and unchanged heart rate immediately after running, combined with unchanged heart rate during the race may, however, suggest a safer exercise performance.

Rate of accumulation of blood lactate during graded exercise as a predictor of 'anaerobic threshold'.

The subject group comprised 35 endurance-trained males: 11 young adults, 11 seniors and a control group of 13 young adults. A graded submaximal exercise test on a treadmill was performed by 22 of the subjects. The exponential function [La-] = a.ebx + c (where x = running velocity) showed a high degree of correlation with the experimental results (mean r = 0.997) and had randomly distributed residuals. Twenty-two subjects performed a series of running sessions at constant speed to establish the highest working intensities that could be endured without an increase in blood lactate (BLa) - the maximal steady-state workload (MSSW). The observed velocities of MSSW were related to the BLa vs velocity curves from the graded test. The graded submaximal exercise tests yielded mean derivatives from the BLa vs velocity relationship curves equal to 0.089 and 0.083 mM per m.min-1 for the young and senior groups, respectively. The derivatives had moderate inter-individual variations. In reversing the procedure, MSSW was estimated for all of the subjects using a common slope of 0.086. Only small individual variations were found between observed and estimated MSSW. The mean BLa value f (x), calculated using exponential functions where x = individual observed MSSW, was 3.0 mM. Thus, for endurance-trained athletes, a BLa accumulation rate of 0.086 mM per m.min-1 or, alternatively, a fixed BLa concentration of 3 mM, is recommended as a predictor of MSSW when analysing the BLa-velocity profiles from a graded submaximal test.