Menstrual disorders in amateur dancers

Aerobic exercise to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Aerobic exercise has been confirmed to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in adolescents and young women. However, the effect of the aerobic exercise type and dosage on PD alleviation was unclear. This research aims to assess the effect of aerobic exercise on PD and investigate the dose-response relationships.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Systematic literature searches of Web of Science, Embass, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycNET, CINAHL, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and other Complimentary Medicine Database. PICOS standards were adopted in this research: participants were nonathlete women with PD; intervention was aerobic exercise of at least one menstruation cycle; comparator was any comparator; outcomes were pain intensity or pain duration; and study type was randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the research. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted for pain intensity and pain duration, with prespecified subgroup analyses based on aerobic exercise components. The strength of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024533544).

RESULTS

The study identified 16 eligible studies, with 15 involving adolescents, totaling 918 participants aged 15 to 43, with an average age of 21.26 ± 13.15. The results confirmed that aerobic exercise can alleviate PD's pain intensity (standard mean difference (SMD) = -1.728 (p = 0.00), 95% CI [-2.26 to -1.31]) and pain duration (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -12.53 h, p = 0.01, 95% CI: -21.38 to -3.68). However, the heterogeneity of these two results was high. Subgroup analysis showed that Pilates (SMD = -3.17, 95% CI [-4.26 to -2.07]), low intensity (SMD = -1.64, 95% CI [-2.10 to -1.19]), 31-45 min duration (SMD = -3.05, 95% CI [-5.36 to -0.75]), ≤2 times per week frequency (SMD = -2.24, 95% CI [-3.36 to -1.12]), and a period cycle of 2 menstrual cycles (SMD = -2.21, 95% CI [-3.13 to -1.28]) had the maximum effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

Aerobic exercise was able to alleviate pain intensity and pain duration in adolescents and young women with PD. Moderate-quality evidence indicates that Pilates, low intensity, 46-60 min, ≤two times per week, or two menstrual cycles showed more efficiency in alleviating PD. Due to the limited data, future research should prioritize conducting randomized controlled trials of aerobic exercise interventions in younger age groups to develop personalized treatment strategies for adolescents.

Asprosin-induced alterations in female rat puberty and reproductive hormonal profiles

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the comprehensive effects of daily chronic asprosin administration on various pubertal and reproductive parameters in female rats. This study aims to elucidate the role of asprosin in regulating the onset of puberty and its influence on hormonal profiles and ovarian histology.

METHODS

Asprosin was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 500 ng/kg daily for eight weeks. Hormonal assays and histological analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of asprosin on the onset of puberty and reproductive function.

RESULTS

Daily chronic administration of asprosin accelerated the onset of the first oestrus. Hormonal assays revealed significant elevations in serum levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Oestradiol (E2), while Inhibin B levels decreased. Histological evaluations demonstrated an increased number of primary and secondary follicles in ovarian tissue, without affecting primordial follicle counts or reproductive organ weights.

CONCLUSIONS

Role of adipokines in regulating puberty and reproductive function has increasingly gained recognition. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive examination of the effects of daily chronic asprosin administration on pubertal and reproductive parameters in female rats. Utilising hormonal assays and histological analyses, asprosin was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 500 ng/kg, daily, for eight weeks. Our findings revealed that daily chronic administration of asprosin accelerated the onset of the first oestrus. Hormonal assays showed significant elevations in serum levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Oestradiol (E2), while Inhibin B levels decreased. Histological evaluations demonstrated an increased number of primary and secondary follicles in ovarian tissue, without affecting primordial follicle counts or reproductive organ weights. These results provide new insights into asprosin's role in advancing the age of first oestrus and modulating hormonal profiles, thereby offering potential benefits to the female reproductive system.

Irisin: circulating levels in serum and its relation to gonadal axis

Irisin is an exercise-induced myokine/adipokine in mice and humans that plays an important role in 'browning' of white adipose tissue and has shown great potential as a treatment for some metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The circulating irisin level is reported to be associated with exercise, obesity, diet, diseases, and exposure to different pharmacological agents. Several studies have attempted to characterize the role of irisin in PCOS and other reproductive diseases, but contradictory results have been reported. Our previous study showed that irisin may serve further functions in folliculogenesis and fertility. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the physiology of irisin and its role in gonadal axis. Firstly, we describe irisin circulating levels and speculate on the potential mechanisms involved in irisin secretion and regulation. Then, we focus on the irisin levels in PCOS, and explore the relationships between, BMI, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism. Finally, we present the results from animal interventional studies and in vitro experiments to investigate the relationship between irisin and gonadal axis, indicating its novel effects on reproduction and fertility.

Association between air pollution and menstrual disorder outpatient visits: A time-series analysis

Menstrual disorders are common diseases among reproductive-aged women with increasing concerns. Until now, there have been limited studies about the association between menstrual disorders and air pollution. This study aimed to investigate the association between short-term (concurrent day and within 1 week prior) ambient air pollution exposure and menstrual disorder outpatient visits in Xi'an, a metropolis in northwestern China. Daily baseline outpatient data of menstrual disorders from January 1, 2010 to February 18, 2016 (2239 days) were obtained. An over-dispersed Poisson generalized additive model was applied to discover the relationship between short-term air pollution exposure and the number of menstrual disorder outpatient visits by adjusting the day of the week and weather conditions. A total of 51,893 outpatient visits for menstrual disorders were recorded. A 10 μg/m³ increase of PM₁₀ and NO₂ concentrations corresponded to 0.236% (95% Cl: 0.075%, 0.397%) and 2.173% (95% Cl: 0.990%, 3.357%) elevations in outpatient-visits for menstrual disorders at lag 7 and lag 01 (concurrent day and previous 1 day), respectively. The association was more significant in young females (18-29 years) and there was no obvious association observed between SO₂ and menstrual disorder outpatient visits. This is the first evidence that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution can be associated with an increased risk of menstrual disorder attacks. The results of our study may help to establish more comprehensive understanding of the health effects of ambient air pollution on menstrual disorders and other reproductive diseases.

Assessment of Body Composition and Nutritional Risks in Young Ballet Dancers - The Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

BACKGROUND

Young ballet dancers are at risk of health issues associated with altered nutritional status and of relative energy deficiency in sport compared to the general population.

AIM

To evaluate the nutritional status and body composition in ballet dancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 40 young ballet dancers (mean age 19.97 years). Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated in all subjects (mean BMI value 19.79 kg/m², SD: 2.051). Body composition was estimated using the bioelectrical impedance method.

RESULTS

The dancers' fat-free mass was 47.33 kg (SD: 5.064) and, on the average, body fat represented the 15.92% (SD: 16.91) of their body weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Ballet dancers, who usually show significantly lower BMI values compared to the general population, also displayed body fat values under the suggested range. Some screening for altered nutritional status should be performed. In addition, education programs should be recommended in young ballet dancers, in order to inform about energy and nutrition requirements for health and training and to prevent malnutrition-related problems.