Effect of oral contraceptives on weight and body composition in young female runners.

Purpose: To examine the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on body weight, fat mass, percent body fat, and lean mass in young female distance runners.

Methods: The study population consisted of 150 female competitive distance runners aged 18-26 yr who had participated in a 2-yr randomized trial of the effect of the OC Lo/Ovral (30 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.3 mg of norgestrel) on bone health.

The effect of oral contraceptives on bone mass and stress fractures in female runners.

Purpose: To determine the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on bone mass and stress fracture incidence in young female distance runners.

Methods: One hundred fifty competitive female runners ages 18-26 yr were randomly assigned to OC (30 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.3 mg of norgestrel) or control (no intervention) for 2 yr.

Risk factors for stress fracture among young female cross-country runners.

Purpose: To identify risk factors for stress fracture among young female distance runners.

Methods: Participants were 127 competitive female distance runners, aged 18-26, who provided at least some follow-up data in a randomized trial among 150 runners of the effects of oral contraceptives on bone health. After completing a baseline questionnaire and undergoing bone densitometry, they were followed an average of 1.

Disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and bone mineral density in female runners.

Purpose: To examine the relationships between disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and low bone mineral density (BMD) in young female runners.

Methods: Subjects were 91 competitive female distance runners aged 18-26 yr. Disordered eating was measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI).