The Impact of Intensive Physical Training on the Functioning of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Ovarian Axis in Female Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.54.70754Keywords
hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, female athletes, intensive physical training, low energy availability, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, menstrual disorders, Female Athlete Triad, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, hormonal regulation, reproductive healthAbstract
Background
Intensive physical training plays a crucial role in improving physical fitness and athletic performance; however, in female athletes it may also disrupt hormonal balance, particularly within the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis. These disturbances are often associated with low energy availability and may lead to significant reproductive and systemic health consequences.
Aim
The aim of this review was to analyze current scientific evidence regarding the impact of intensive physical training on the functioning of the HPO axis in female athletes, with particular emphasis on underlying physiological mechanisms, health outcomes, and prevention strategies.
Material and methods
A narrative literature review was conducted based on publications from 2014 to 2026. Scientific databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using relevant keywords related to HPO axis function, menstrual disorders, Female Athlete Triad, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Only peer-reviewed review articles, clinical studies, and observational studies were included.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Sanocka, Agnieszka Przepióra, Anna Żmigrodzka, Agnieszka Kamińska, Maria Orłowska, Klaudia Czernic-Goławska, Jana Kozłowska, Joanna Falana, Aleksandra Wielogórska, Anna Kwiatkowska, Karolina Trojnar
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