Nancy I. Williams
Sc.D., 1992, Applied Physiology, Boston University
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Contact Information
108 Noll Laboratory
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-1346
Fax: (814) 865-4602
niw1@psu.edu
Research Interests
Exercise physiology, effects of alterations in energy balance on reproductive function, neuroendocrinology, metabolism, clinical issues pertaining to women's health and reproductive status, i.e., hypothalamic amenorrhea, bone loss, breast cancer.
Selected Publications
Skrinar, G.S., N.I. Williams, B.A. Bullen, J.W. McArthur, and N.M. Mihok. Changes in body consciousness relate to regularity of exercise training. Perceptual and Motor Skills 75: 696-698, 1992
Bloomfield, S.A., N.I. Williams, D.R. Lamb, FACSM, and R.D. Jackson. Non-weight bearing exercise may increase lumbar spine bone mineral density in healthy post menopausal women. Amer J Phys Med Rehabil 72: 204-209, 1993
Williams, N.I. , J. McArthur, B. Turnbull, B. Bullen, G. Skrinar, I.Z Beitins, G.M. Besser, L.H. Rees, I. Gilbert, D. Cramer, L. Perry, D.S. Tunstall-Pedoe. Effects of follicular phase exercise on LH pulse characteristics in sedentary eumenorrheic women. Clinical Endocrinology 41: 787-794, 1994
Williams, N.I., J. Young., J. McArthur, B. Bullen, G. Skrinar, and B. Turnbull. Strenuous exercise with caloric restriction: Effect on luteinizing hormone secretion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27 (10): 1390-1398, 1995
Williams, N.I., M.J. Lancas, and J.L. Cameron. Stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in male rhesus monkeys by food intake: Evidence against a role for insulin. Endocrinology 137(6): 2565-2571, 1996
Williams, N.I. Low energy availability and reproductive disturbances: a review of clinical and hormonal effects. Dance Medicine and Science 2:(1) 19-31, 1998.
Williams, N.I., B.A. Bullen, J.W. MacArthur, G.S. Skrinar, and B.A. Turnbull. Effects of short-term strenuous endurance exercise upon corpus luteum function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31(7): 949-958,1999.
Sharkey, N.A., Williams, N.I., Guerin, J.B.: The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Nursing Clinics of North America, 35 (1): 209-221, 2000.
Williams, N.I., Caston-Balderrama, A.L. Helmreich, D.L., Parfitt, D.B., Nosbisch C, Cameron, J.L. Longitudinal changes in reproductive hormones and menstrual cyclicity in cynomolgus monkeys during strenuous exercise training: rapid transition to exercise-induced amenorrhea. Endocrinology 142: 2381-2389, 2001.
Williams N.I., DL Helmreich DL, DB Parfitt, Caston-Balderrama AL, JL Cameron. Evidence for a causal role of low energy availability in the induction of menstrual cycle disturbances during strenuous exercise training. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86: 5184-5193, 2001
Miles MP, Mackinnon LT, Grove DS, Williams NI, Bush JA, Marx JO, Kraemer WJ, Mastro AM. The relationship of natural killer cell counts, perforin mRNA and CD2 expression to post-exercise natural killer cell activity in humans. Acta Physiol Scand 174: 1-9, 2002.
McConnell HJ, KA O'Connor, E Brindle, and NI Williams. Validity of methods for analyzing urinary steroid data to detect ovulation in athletes. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc 34(11): 1836-1844, 2002
Whipple TJ, Petit Moira, Sharkey N, Demers L, Williams NI. Leptin and the skeleton. Clin Endocrinol 57: 701-711, 2002.
Williams, NI. Experimental disruptions of the menstrual cycle: Lessons from long-term prospective studies. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35 (8): 1564-1572, 2003.
De Souza, M.J., H. McConnell, E. O’Donnell, B. Lasley, and Williams NI. Fasting Ghrelin Levels in Physically Active Women: Relationship with Menstrual Disturbances and Metabolic Status. J Clin Endocrinol Metab Jul;89(7):3536-42, 2004.
McConnell HJ, Gardner JK, Frye BR, Snook ML, Schuchert MK, Richard EL, and Williams NI. Circulating ghrelin is sensitive to changes in body weight during a diet and exercise program in normal weight young women. Special edition: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Jun;89(6):2659-64, 2004.
De Souza, M.J., and N.I. Williams. Physiological Aspects and Clinical Sequelae of Energy Deficiency and Hypoestrogenism in Exercising Women. Hum Reprod Update Sep-Oct;10(5):433-48, 2004.
Book Chapters
Williams, NI and De Souza, MJ. “Exercise-associated menstrual cycle disturbances: practical and clinical considerations”, Endocrinology of Physical Exercise and Sport as part of the series “The Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine” for the International Olympic Committee (In Press, 2004).