Although more coaches, parents, athletic trainers, physicians, and physical therapists are more aware of the female athlete triad than ever before most people do not know manage it effectively. The female athlete trial consists of disordered eating, menstrual disturbances, and low bone density. Due to low energy availability with this condition, the body cannot adequately heal and recover from the stress placed on the body with athletic participation. Most high schools and colleges do not properly screen their female athletes which may lead to this condition being left untreated. 1. Reduced or low energy availability may occur due to disordered eating or may be connected to decreased knowledge of adequate caloric intake for female athletes. Disordered eating at the high school level is estimated between 18-41% versus 15-32% at the college and elite levels. Kinetic Physical Therapy has sports nutritionists available to assist your female athletes in achieving maximum performance in sports by optimizing caloric intake for their activity level. 2. Menstrual dysfunction may occur as a result of low energy availability as previously discussed or may occur in isolation. It may consist of irregular menstrual cycles or loss of menstrual cycle in serious cases. It is estimated to affect up to 54% of adolescent athletes and 65% of collegiate female athletes. 3. Low bone density in the adolescent athlete is of serious concern since 50% of bone mass is achieved during adolescent. The prevalence of decreased bone mineral density in the high school female athlete is around 21.8%, leading to increased risk of stress fractures. This may improve with 15 minutes of time in the sun per day, through weight bearing exercise, or by adding a calcium/vitamin D supplement to your diet. Female athletes should be screened for this condition during their pre-participation physical however parents, coaches, and friends should also watch for signs of the three parts of the triad. The exam should also include blood work to assess for nutritional status, vitamin D levels, and much more. The athletes may fill out a questionnaire such as the Female Athlete Triad Coalition screening tool as well as complete a multi-day food log. Since female athletes may be sensitive about this condition, management and discussion of this condition should be handled by a knowledgeable healthcare professional. For more information, check out the article “Catching Up with the Triad” by Dr. Jill Thein-Nissenbaum or a young athlete friendly website at kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/triad.html
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 12:34:54 +0000
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