Hormonal contraceptive use, menstrual cycle characteristics and training/nutrition related profiles of elite, sub-elite and amateur athletes and exercisers : One size is unlikely to fit all
Journal article
Langan-Evans, Carl, Hearris, Mark A., McQuilliam, Stephen, Burke, Louise M., Stellingwerff, Trent, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J. and Morton, James P.. (2024). Hormonal contraceptive use, menstrual cycle characteristics and training/nutrition related profiles of elite, sub-elite and amateur athletes and exercisers : One size is unlikely to fit all. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. 19(1), pp. 113-128. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231163088
Authors | Langan-Evans, Carl, Hearris, Mark A., McQuilliam, Stephen, Burke, Louise M., Stellingwerff, Trent, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J. and Morton, James P. |
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Abstract | The aim of the present study was to simultaneously audit hormonal contraceptive (HC) use, menstrual cycle characteristics and training/nutrition related profiles in pre-menopausal women from varying athletic and exercise backgrounds. Elite (n = 51), sub-elite (n = 118) and amateur (n = 392) female athletes and exercisers were examined via an anonymous quantitative/qualitative survey tool. All analyses for ratio data were conducted utilising one- and two-way ANOVA/ANCOVA and odds ratio models, with ordinal data analysed via Pearson's Chi-squared tests. HC use was similar across elite, sub-elite and amateurs (34–44%). Menstrual cycle length was not different (P = 0.08) between competitive levels (28 ± 13 days), but 66% of respondents reported cycle variability (10 ± 11 days). Training profiles were not different based on contraceptive status (P > 0.05) yet were across competitive groups (P < 0.05). Daily meal/snack intakes were not different between contraceptive status (P > 0.05), though elite and sub-elite groups reported a higher daily meal consumption compared to amateurs (P < 0.01). Forty percent of all respondents skipped meals, attributed to lack of time, schedule and alterations in appetite, with reported changes in taste preferences during pre-menses (14–35%) and menses (15–25%) towards sweet foods (60%), with cravings for chocolate and other confectionary (25%). Prevalence of dietary supplement use was not influenced by contraceptive status (P = 0.31), though elites (76%) reported higher use (P = 0.04) than amateurs (63%). Data demonstrates that in female athletes and exercisers, competitive level appears to affect simple markers of training and nutrition practice, yet contraceptive status does not. |
Keywords | dietary supplement; energy intake; female; food craving; training volume |
Year | 2024 |
Journal | International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching |
Journal citation | 19 (1), pp. 113-128 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
ISSN | 1747-9541 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231163088 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85152431794 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 113-128 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 10 Apr 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 30 Apr 2025 |
Additional information | © The Author(s) 2023. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/91v03/hormonal-contraceptive-use-menstrual-cycle-characteristics-and-training-nutrition-related-profiles-of-elite-sub-elite-and-amateur-athletes-and-exercisers-one-size-is-unlikely-to-fit-all
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Publisher's version
OA_Langan_Evans_2024_Hormonal_contraceptive_use_menstrual_cycle_characteristics.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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