RESUMEN
Women participating in endurance sports are at risk of presenting with low energy availability (EA), menstrual dysfunction (MD), and low bone mineral density (BMD), collectively termed the female athlete triad (FAT or TRIAD). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the profile of the TRIAD among elite Kenyan female athletes and among non-athletes. There were 39 participants (athletes: 25, non-athletes:14) who provided the data for this study. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) was deducted from energy intake (EI), and the remnant energy normalized to fat free mass (FFM) to determine energy availability (EA). Weight of all food and liquid consumed during three consecutive days determined EI. EEE was determined after isolating and deducting energy expended in exercise or physical activity above lifestyle from the total energy expenditure output as measured by Actigraph GT3X+. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) determined both FFM and BMD. Menstrual function was determined from a daily temperature-menstrual log kept by each participant for nine continuous months. Low EA (<45 kcal/kgFFM.d-1) was evident in 61.53% of the participants (athletes: 28.07 ±11.45 kcal/kgFFM.d-1, non-athletes: 56.97 ±21.38 kcal/kgFFM.d-1). The overall 36% MD seen among all participants was distributed as 40% among the athletes, and 29% among non-athletes. None of the athletes was amenorrheic. Low BMD was seen in 79% of the participants (athletes: 76%, non-athletes:86%). Overall, 10% of the participants (athletes: 4, non-athletes: 0) showed simultaneous presence of all three components of the TRIAD. The Independent sample t-test showed significant difference (t=5.860; p< 0.001) in prevalence of the TRIAD between athletes and non-athletes. The hypothesized higher prevalence of the TRIAD among athletes compared to non-athletes was partially accepted. To alleviate conditions arising from low EA, both athletes and their coaches need regular education on how to ensure they adequately meet specific dietary and nutritional requirements for their competition events
Asunto(s)
Atletas , Densidad Ósea , Metabolismo Energético , Kenia , Ciclo Menstrual , Resistencia FísicaRESUMEN
Low energy availability (EA) has been recognized as an instigator of menstrual dysfunction and subsequent hypoestrogenism that leads to deterioration in bone health. Elite Kenyan male athletes have been reported to often function under low energy balance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine EA and menstrual function (MF) among elite Kenyan female athletes; and to explore the association between EA and MF in the athletes. The data were collected from 25 elite Kenyan runners and 14 non-athletes. Energy intake (EI) minus exercise energy expenditure (EEE) normalized to fat free mass (FFM) determined EA. EI was determined through weight of all food and liquid consumed over three consecutive days. EEE was determined after isolating and deducting energy expended in exercise or physical activity above lifestyle level from the total energy expenditure output as measured by Actigraph GT3X+. FFM was assessed using DXA. A daily temperature-menstrual log kept for nine continuous months was used to establish menstrual function. Overall, EA below 45 kcal/kgFFM.d-1 was seen in 61.53% of the participants (athletes: 28.07 ±11.45 kcal/kgFFM.d-1, non-athletes:56.97 ±21.38 kcal/kgFFM.d-1). Results on menstrual dysfunction were as follows: oligomenorrhea (athletes: 40%; non-athletes: 14.3%) and amenorrhea (non-athletes: 14.3%). None of the athletes were amenorrheic. Results did not show any significant association between EA and MF, but the low to sub-optimal EA among elite Kenyan female athletes raises concern for their future menstrual and bone health. . Educating the athletes and coaches will enhance achievement of the specific dietary and nutritional needs appropriate to their competition events
Asunto(s)
Atletas , Metabolismo Energético , Femenino , Kenia , Ciclo MenstrualRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Most HIV-1 transmission is sexual; therefore, immune responses in the genital mucosa may be important in mediating protection against HIV infection. This study examined HIV-1-specific mucosal IgA in a cohort of HIV-1-resistant Kenyan female sex workers. METHODS: HIV-1-specific immune responses were compared in HIV-1-resistant and HIV-1-infected sex workers, and in lower risk uninfected women. Cervical and vaginal samples from each group were tested for HIV-1-specific IgA and IgG by enzyme immunoassay. Systemic T-helper lymphocyte cell responses to HIV-1 envelope peptide epitopes were assayed using an interleukin 2 bioassay. HIV-1 risk-taking behaviours were assessed using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: HIV-1-specific IgA was present in the genital tract of 16 out of 21 (76%) HIV-1-resistant sex workers, five out of 19 (26%) infected women, and three out of 28 (11%) lower risk women (P < 0.0001). Among lower risk women, the presence of HIV-1-specific IgA was associated with HIV-1 risk-taking behaviour. Systemic T-helper lymphocyte responses to HIV-1 envelope peptides were present in 11 out of 20 (55%) HIV-1-resistant women, four out of 18 (22%) infected women, and one out of 25 (4%) lower risk women (P < 0.001). T-helper lymphocyte responses did not correlate with the presence or titre of virus-specific mucosal IgA in any study group. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1-specific IgA is present in the genital tract of most HIV-1-resistant Kenyan sex workers, and of a minority of lower risk uninfected women, where it is associated with risk-taking behaviour. These data suggest a role for mucosal HIV-1-specific IgA responses in HIV-1 resistance, independent of host cellular responses.