Reproductive and metabolic adaptation to multistressor training in women
Robert J. Gifford, Thomas J. O’Leary, Sophie L. Wardle, Rebecca L. Double, Natalie Homer, A. Howie, Julie P. Greeves, Richard A. Anderson, David R. Woods, Rebecca M. Reynolds
Abstract
We characterized reproductive endocrine adaptation to prolonged arduous multistressor training in women. We identified marked suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function during training but found no evidence of low energy availability despite high energy requirements. Our findings suggest a complex interplay of psychological and environmental stressors with suppression of the HPG axis via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The neuroendocrine impact of nonexercise stressors on the HPG axis during arduous training should be considered.