Age at menarche in athletes and non-athletes

Abstract

Data on the age at menarche were collected from 66 college age female track and field athletes and on 30 non-athlete females of college age. The athletes were classified into five categories: sprinters, distance runners, jumpers (including hurdlers), discus and javelin throwers, and shotputters. The mean age at menarche was significantly earlier in non-athletes (X̄ = 12.23 years) than in the track and field athletes, who did not differ statistically in menarcheal age among themselves. The mean age at menarche for all athletes combined was 13.58 years.