Open AccessEffects of physical exercise on the serum concentration of melatonin in female runners
Author(s) -
Ronkainen H.,
Vakkuri O.,
Kauppila A.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348609157031
Subject(s) - melatonin , medicine , menstrual cycle , athletes , nocturnal , endocrinology , testosterone (patch) , endurance training , physical therapy , hormone
The serum melatonin concentration was measured in 11 runners before and after a long‐distance race, and during one menstrual cycle of another 11 runners who were performing a strenuous training programme, and in their 12 control subjects. The concentration of melatonin was significantly increased (p<0.05) after the competition, whereas during one menstrual cycle of female runners it did not differ from the corresponding concentrations of non‐athletes. Training did not cause any chronic changes in melatonin secretion, and the serum melatonin increases following the physical exercise remained clearly below the nocturnal level. Hence, the antigonadotropic effect of endurance running activity is very likely not a melatonin‐associated phenomenon.