Anthropometric and menstrual characteristics of elite rhythmic gymnasts: comparison between two periods

The aim of this research was to assess variation of the onset of puberty, anthropometric and menstrual characteristics, and their associations with the amount of training, in high-level rhythmic gymnasts competing in two different periods: 2002 and 2009. Methods: Sixty-three elite gymnasts (age 14.3 ± 2.9 yrs) were surveyed in 2002 and 61 elite gymnasts (age 15.1 ± 2.9 yrs) were surveyed in 2009 by the Menstrual History Questionnaire for data about menarcheal age and the amount of training. BMI was calculated and perceived body image (PBI) was assessed using nine silhouette drawings. Results: Chi-square analysis showed significant differences in frequency of menstruating gymnasts between the two periods: 74.6% of gymnasts in 2002 had not yet menstruated, compared with 52.5% of the gymnasts in 2009 (p<0.01). A one-way ANOVA showed no significant differences between the two groups of gymnasts for the age at menarche (15.3 ± 2.0 vs. 14.5 ± 1.3 yrs, respectively). The training hours per week did not differ over the 7-year period. Gymnasts tested in 2009 were found to be significantly (p<0.01) taller than gymnasts of 2002, but there were no significant differences for body mass and BMI. No differences were found between the two groups about body image perception, and 27-30% of gymnasts wished to be thinner than their weight status. Conclusion: Although in 2009 the same amount of training was performed, a decreased number of gymnasts with late menarcheal age was found. Based on perceived body image test, gymnasts tend to overestimate their weight status and desire to have a lighter body.