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Effects of the menstrual cycle on body composition
Author(s) -
Ellard C. O.,
Thompson W. R.,
Burks S.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.1991.tb00287.x
Subject(s) - menstrual cycle , medicine , hydrostatic weighing , spirometry , menstruation , physiology , abdomen , physical therapy , hormone , body weight , surgery , asthma
Fluctuations in regulatory hormones, body temperature and other physiological mechanisms during the menstrual cycle cause individual symptoms, including a perceived weight gain. This study determined the effects of a normal menstrual cycle on body weight, percentage body fat (% fat by hydrostatic weighing), respiratory measures of vital capacity and residual volume by spirometry, and the sum of 7 skinfolds (triceps, subscapula, axilla, chest, suprailium, abdomen and thigh). Twenty regularly menstruating (23‐ to 35‐d cycles) subjects (aged 20–30 years) volunteered for this study. Measures were duplicated on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the onset of menstrual flow. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance indicated no significant differences for any measured parameter between the 5 assigned days. Therefore, body composition in this age group was not affected by normal menstruation.