Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the behavior and magnitude of alteration of hormones that regulate menstrual cycle (MC) and testosterone from Olympic-level Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG). It was studied a population of Olympic-level athletes of RG in pre-competitive period to the Beijing Olympic Games. Blood samples were taken at four opportunities, of seven in seven days. The chemiluminescence technical was used to analyze the estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. All athletes had menstrual dysfunction. There was high intra and interindividual hormonal variation. To the estrogen, 65% of the samples had results lower than reference ranges. The progesterone and LH concentrations were closed with the lower limit of the clinical reference, and 10% and 30% of the values to FSH and testosterone, respectively, were lower than reference. Thus, RG athletes show increased risk to hormonal imbalances and menstrual dysfunction that justify clinical care
KEYWORDS
Athletes; Gymnastics; Hormones; Menstrual cycle
