1. Gender Factors and Exercise Chapter 20

2. Learning Objectives Identify the differences between females and males for various physiological parameters. Know the trends for gender differences in athletic performance. Understand the effects of exercise and athletic participation on the menstrual cycle. Know basic adaptations to aerobic training and resistance training in females as they relate to health, cardiorespiratory fitness, and athletic performance.

3. Gender Comparisons in Function and Performance Men are taller and weigh more Men have less body fat and more fat-free weight Men and women have similar muscle fiber type patterns Women tend to have lower VO 2 max values and anaerobic capabilities Men tend to be stronger (have more muscle)

4. Gender Comparisons— Body Size and Composition

5. Gender Comparisons— Aerobic and Metabolic Parameters

6. Gender Comparisons— Anaerobic Parameters

7. Gender Comparisons— Respiratory Parameters & Neuromuscular Function

8. Some Comparisons of World Records for Men and Women (as of November 2010) 100-meter freestyle swimming (in seconds)  Women: 51.01  Men: 44.94 Marathon running:  Women: 2.15.25  Men: 2.03.59 High jump (in meters):  Women: 2.09  Men: 2.45

9. The Menstrual Cycle, Exercise, and Athletics No experimental evidence that athletic training in childhood delays menarche No conclusive evidence that exercise participation during menstruation is harmful Evidence is unclear as to whether menstruation or dysmenorrhea (cramps) affects performance No definitive evidence that performance is impaired

10. Athletic Menstrual Cycle Irregularity Irregularities are reported with greater frequency as women become more involved with high- intensity, year-round training. Not known if this is a health threat or a normal variation. Possible causes:  Physical or psychological stress  Changes in hormonal function  Changes in body composition  Combination of all of the above

11. Exercise and Hormones Women who exercise intensely are at risk for disturbed hormonal balance. Female athletes should have an adequate caloric intake to make up for high energy expenditure. Demand for leanness in certain sports (e.g., ballet, gymnastics) can lead to menstrual irregularities.

12. The Female Athlete Triad Interrelationships among energy availability, menstrual function, and bone density. Possible clinical manifestations: 1. Disordered eating 2. Amenorrhea 3. Osteoporosis

13. Disordered Eating Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa Signs and symptoms:  Excessive weight loss  Avoidance of food  Use of laxatives, diuretics, and vomiting

14. Relative Contraindications for Exercising During Pregnancy

15. Absolute Contraindications for Exercising During Pregnancy

16. Recommended Aerobic Exercise Prescription During Pregnancy

17. Your Perspective How would feel if an athletic organization insisted that women had to reveal their pregnancies, or banned pregnant women from sport in order to protect their unborn children? Is this justified to prevent a serious risk to the health of the women and their unborn children?

18. Adaptations to Aerobic and Resistance Training in Females See Chapters 9, 10, and 11 of the text for recommendations and guidelines. For women, some sociopsychological considerations for strength training.  Cultural and sociological stigmas

19. Physiological Considerations for Strength Training in Female Athletes Total body strength Testosterone Steroid use Effects of resistance exercise Menstrual cycle Pregnancy Body fat

20. Precautions for Pregnant Women During Resistance Training Use common sense and be cautious: When selecting training intensities, exercises, and loads When performing heavy multi-joint free weight exercised after the first trimester Regarding dress and environmental conditions

21. Where to Learn More Exercise during pregnancy:  www.aafp.org/afp/980415ap/wang.html www.aafp.org/afp/980415ap/wang.html

22. ACSM Certification Standards— 1.8.15 Knowledge of nutritional factors related to the female athlete triad syndrome (i.e., eating disorders, menstrual cycle abnormalities, and osteoporosis).  You suspect that a 14-year-old girl who is trying to make the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team has an eating disorder. What do you do? Who should you talk to about your concerns?