The effect of prolonged exercise on lipid peroxidation in eumenorrheic female runners.
OBJECTIVE
Recently a protective role has been demonstrated for estrogens as free radical scavengers. In this study, lipid peroxidation was evaluated in eumenorrheic runners before and after participation in a half-marathon.


METHODS
Seven female runners who participated in regular training (average 25 miles x wk(-1) and reported regular menses (12/yr) served as subjects. Subjects were all in a low estrogen phase of their menstrual cycle as confirmed by menstrual record and plasma estradiol level (42.71 +/- 21.65 pg x mL(-1). Low density lipoprotein oxidation (formation of conjugated dienes) was determined 2 h prerace and 5 min after subject's completion of the race.


RESULTS
Results showed a significant increase in lag phase time of conjugated dienes after prolonged exercise (28.43 +/- 4.89 min vs postrace 35.21 +/- 4.32 min, P < 0.05). No correlation between mean levels of estradiol and mean lipid peroxidation levels at rest, 5 min after exercise, or difference (prepost) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged endurance exercise does not appear to increase potential for lipid peroxidation in trained eumenorrheic runners during a low estrogen phase of the menstrual cycle.
Case
D
D
Department of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton, OH 45469-1210, USA.
Baer
J T
JT
Subbiah
M T
MT
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
D004958:Estradiol