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SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
ON THE ROLE OF SOY
IN PREVENTING AND TREATING CHRONIC DISEASE

September 15-18, 1996
Brussells, Belgium

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM
(Oral Abstracts)

Hormonal effects of Soy
Premenopausal Studies

Metabolic and Hormonal Responses in Elite Female Gymnasts Undergoing Strenuous Training and Supplementation with SUPRO® Brand Isolated Soy Protein
V. Stroescu1, I. Dragan2, L. Simionescu3 and O.V. Stroescu4.
Institute of Sports Medicine, Bucharest, and Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.
1 Chief of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
2 Chair of the Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy, Director of the Institute of Sports Medicine, Bucharest, Romania.
3 Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.
4 Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.

In previous studies, we showed some benefits from soy protein supplementation in top endurance athletes competing in kayak-canoeing, rowing and swimming. In the present study, fourteen top female gymnasts (mean age 14.9+/-1.3 years, mean height 144.2+/-2.1 cm, mean body mass 33.1+/-1.1 kg) took part in a study to examine their metabolic-hormonal profile and to investigate any possible changes resulting from a 4-month program of strenuous training and daily supplementation with soy protein at a level of 1g/kg body weight. Gymnasts were randomly assigned to one of two groups: seven to the Soy Supplemented Group (A) and seven to the Non-Supplemented Placebo Group (B). Both groups took part in the same program, which consisted of strenuous training for 4-6 hours/day, 5 days/wk., controlled food intake (baseline daily diet: 50-55 kcal/kg body weight and 1.5-17 g protein/kg body weight), and supplements including vitamins and minerals. Group A received a supplement of SUPRO® Brand Isolated Soy Protein (ISP) twice daily; Group B received a placebo identical in appearance and flavor. Selected parameters were measured before and after the 4-month training program. Metabolic tests included measurements of serum hemoglobin, protein, serum fats, urea, creatinine, hepatic enzymes, calcium, magnesium, immunoglobulins and urinary mucoproteins. Serum levels of T3, T4, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, testosterone, and urinary 17-kestosteroids were measured. Results showed that the Supplemental Group had an increase in lean body mass (not statistically significant) and serum levels of prolactin (p<0.01) and T4 and a decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (p<0.01). The Non-Supplemented Group had a decreased level of serum T4 and an increased level of urinary mucoproteins (p<0.05). Our preliminary conclusions suggest lower metabolic-hormonal stress in elite female gymnasts undergoing strenuous training who received daily supplementation with isolated soy protein.

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