[Hormonal changes during incremental exercise in athletic women].

Recently, the number of women who participate in strenuous sports has increased rapidly. The evidence indicating a causal relationship between athletic activity and increased incidence of menstrual dysfunction has led to increased interest. Five basketball players who are among the top players in Japan were subjected to an investigation of the endocrinological responses effected by incremental exercise using a cycle ergometer. Serum levels of FSH and LH decreased significantly in the follicular phase, but there was no change in the luteal phase. Estradiol was seen to increase significantly in the luteal phase but no change occurred in the follicular phase. Progesterone did not show a significant change during exercise. Although TSH did not show any significant change, prolactin showed a significant increase in both phases. These results suggest that strenuous daily training leads to a frequent increase of prolactin in athletic women and this frequent increase of prolactin may be one of the major factors in causing menstrual dysfunction.