EFFECT OF SPORT ON FEMALE HEALTH

Abstract

Aim. To identify the effect of sports activities on menarche, menstrual regularity, body mass index, and nervous breakdowns. Materials and methods. A survey was conducted among 148 female students of K. Tsiolkovski Kaluga State University, ages 17 to 40, of whom 127 had regular sports activities and 21 did not. Results. Delayed menarche was observed in female students with regular sports activities, regardless of the chosen sport. Exercise had a positive effect on well-being during menstruation, menstrual regularity, and the duration of menstrual bleeding. There is a relationship between menstrual regularity, BMI, and exercise: female students without regular sports activities had regular menstruation only in the case of a normal BMI, while female students with regular exercise had regular menstruation, regardless of their BMI. Female students with regular exercise experienced nervous breakdowns more often than those without regular physical activities. For less physically active female students, nervous breakdowns were combined with irregular menstruation. In physically active female students with irregular menstruation, nervous breakdowns were more frequent compared with those with regular menstruation. Conclusion. There is a positive correlation between exercise and well-being during menstruation, regular menstruation regardless of BMI, and prolonged menstrual bleeding. The adverse effects of regular sports include delayed menarche and an increased number of nervous breakdowns.