The Effect of Carbohydrate Supplementation on the Reproductive Hormone and Energy Expenditure in Female Athletes with EAMD

This study aims to discuss how carbohydrate supplementation affects the energy expenditure and reproductive hormone in female athletes with Exercise-Associated Menstrual Disorders(EAMD)without disturbing their regular training. Methods:Participants were randomly assigned into experimental carbohydrate group and control group. The experimental group was given carbohydrate intervention for 3 consecutive months. Body composition, energy expenditure and LH, E₂, P were measured in both pre- and post-study for all participants.Results:The experimental group achieved positive energy balance after 3-month intervention, removing its negative energy balance in pre-intervention. No significant difference, however, was found within the control group. The release of E₂ and P elevated in follicular phase and luteal phase respectively after the carbohydrate intervention, different from control group significantly; and that of P in luteal phase is positively correlated with energy expenditure. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the relase of LH and P in follicular phase and that of LH and E₂ in luteal phase between the two groups after the study, and the reproductive hormone in both groups stayed relatively stable before and after the study. Conclusion:Carbohydrate supplementation ameliorates the situation of negative energy balance and the release of related reproductive hormone in female athletes with EAMD, which has implications for the prevention and treatment of EAMD in female athletes.