The Female Athlete Triad: Is the Triad a Problem Among Division I Female Athletes?

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine J. Reel ◽  
Sonya SooHoo ◽  
Holly Doetsch ◽  
Jennifer E. Carter ◽  
Trent A. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Muscle Injuries ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Eating Disordered ◽  
Menstrual History

The purpose of the study was to determine prevalence rates of the female athlete triad (Triad), differences by sport category (aesthetic, endurance, and team/anaerobic), and the relationship between each of the components of the Triad. Female athletes (N= 451) from three Division I universities with an average age of 20 years completed the Menstrual History Questionnaire, Injury Assessment Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD; Mintz, O’Halloran, Mulholland, & Schneider, 1997). Almost 7% of female athletes reported clinical eating disorders, and 19.2% reported subclinical disordered eating. Disordered eating was prevalent in all three sport categories with no significant differences between groups. Muscle injuries were more prevalent in team/anaerobic sports (77.4%) than the aesthetic (68.1%) and endurance groups (58.1%). Furthermore, those athletes with menstrual dysfunction more frequently reported clinical eating disorders (1.4%) and sustained more skeletal injuries (51%) during their athletic career than athletes with regular menstrual function. Clinical implications and further research directions are addressed.

Eating and Weight Disorders in the Female Athlete

1991 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack H. Wilmore
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Special Populations ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Secondary Amenorrhea ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Increased Risk

This paper presents an overview of eating disorders, including definitions, clinical criteria for appropriate diagnosis, and a discussion of the potential for increased risk for eating disorders in special populations of female athletes. This is followed by a discussion of the prevalence of eating disorders in normal and athletic populations. From this discussion, it seems clear that female athletes in endurance or appearance sports are at an increased risk for disordered eating. Finally, the paper focuses on related disorders—a triad associating eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, and bone mineral disorders. It is clear that secondary amenorrhea is associated with malnutrition and disordered eating. Further, bone mineral disorders are related to menstrual dysfunction. Disordered eating may represent the initiating factor of this triad.

Stress Fractures And The Reproductive System In The Female Athlete

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan M Asif ◽  
Kimberly Harmon ◽  
Mallory Shasteen
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Neck ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Pubic Ramus

Stress fractures are more common in the female athlete. Stress fractures of the pubic ramus and femoral neck are particularly more common in females than in males. Rib stress fractures are an important injury to consider in the female rower, whereas spondylolysis is a common cause of low back pain in female athletes who hyperextend their spines. The higher incidence of stress fractures in females is mainly due to the higher prevalence of disordered eating and subsequent energy imbalance, which leads to detrimental effects on bone. This review discusses stress fractures and unique issues related to exercise and the female reproductive system. This review contains 6 figures, 5 tables and 49 references Key words: amenorrhea, bone mineral density, disordered eating, female athlete triad, femoral neck, pregnancy, pubic ramus, rib, spondylolysis, stress fracture

Stress Fractures And The Reproductive System In The Female Athlete

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan M Asif ◽  
Kimberly Harmon ◽  
Mallory Shasteen
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Neck ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Pubic Ramus

Stress fractures are more common in the female athlete. Stress fractures of the pubic ramus and femoral neck are particularly more common in females than in males. Rib stress fractures are an important injury to consider in the female rower, whereas spondylolysis is a common cause of low back pain in female athletes who hyperextend their spines. The higher incidence of stress fractures in females is mainly due to the higher prevalence of disordered eating and subsequent energy imbalance, which leads to detrimental effects on bone. This review discusses stress fractures and unique issues related to exercise and the female reproductive system. This review contains 6 figures, 5 tables and 49 references Key words: amenorrhea, bone mineral density, disordered eating, female athlete triad, femoral neck, pregnancy, pubic ramus, rib, spondylolysis, stress fracture

scholarly journals Energy Deficiency, Menstrual Disturbances, and Low Bone Mass: What Do Exercising Australian Women Know About the Female Athlete Triad?

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Miller ◽  
Sonja Kukuljan ◽  
Anne I. Turner ◽  
Paige van der Pligt ◽  
Gaele Ducher
Keyword(s):  
Stress Fracture ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Sports History ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Energy Deficiency ◽  
History Of

Purpose:Prevention of the female athlete triad is essential to protect female athletes’ health. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of regularly exercising adult women in Australia toward eating patterns, menstrual cycles, and bone health.Methods:A total of 191 female exercisers, age 18–40 yr, engaging in ≥2 hr/wk of strenuous activity, completed a survey. After 11 surveys were excluded (due to incomplete answers), the 180 participants were categorized into lean-build sports (n = 82; running/athletics, triathlon, swimming, cycling, dancing, rowing), non-lean-build sports (n = 94; basketball, netball, soccer, hockey, volleyball, tennis, trampoline, squash, Australian football), or gym/fitness activities (n = 4).Results:Mean (± SD) training volume was 9.0 ± 5.5 hr/wk, with participants competing from local up to international level. Only 10% of respondents could name the 3 components of the female athlete triad. Regardless of reported history of stress fracture, 45% of the respondents did not think that amenorrhea (absence of menses for ≥3 months) could affect bone health, and 22% of those involved in lean-build sports would do nothing if experiencing amenorrhea (vs. 3.2% in non-lean-build sports, p = .005). Lean-build sports, history of amenorrhea, and history of stress fracture were all significantly associated with not taking action in the presence of amenorrhea (all p < .005).Conclusions:Few active Australian women are aware of the detrimental effects of menstrual dysfunction on bone health. Education programs are needed to prevent the female athlete triad and ensure that appropriate actions are taken by athletes when experiencing amenorrhea.

Stress Fractures And The Reproductive System In The Female Athlete

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan M Asif ◽  
Kimberly Harmon ◽  
Mallory Shasteen
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Neck ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Pubic Ramus

Stress fractures are more common in the female athlete. Stress fractures of the pubic ramus and femoral neck are particularly more common in females than in males. Rib stress fractures are an important injury to consider in the female rower, whereas spondylolysis is a common cause of low back pain in female athletes who hyperextend their spines. The higher incidence of stress fractures in females is mainly due to the higher prevalence of disordered eating and subsequent energy imbalance, which leads to detrimental effects on bone. This review discusses stress fractures and unique issues related to exercise and the female reproductive system. This review contains 6 figures, 5 tables and 49 references Key words: amenorrhea, bone mineral density, disordered eating, female athlete triad, femoral neck, pregnancy, pubic ramus, rib, spondylolysis, stress fracture

Performance-Related Injuries and Exercise Orientation of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III Female Collegiate Cross Country Runners

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon H. Thompson ◽  
Presley Smith ◽  
Rita DiGioacchino
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Division Iii ◽  
Exercise Time ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Division Ii ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Division I Athletes

A serious commitment to sport and exercise may predispose female athletes to the development of eating disorders. The energy restriction and accompanying menstrual disorders that are often associated with eating disorders may increase female athletes’ injury risks. The purpose of this study was to assess NCAA Division I, II, and III female collegiate cross country athletes’ weekly exercise time, rates of injury, menstrual dysfunction, and subclinical eating disorder risks. A paper-pencil survey was completed by athletes (mean age = 19.64 years) from NCAA Division I (n = 82), Division II (n = 103) and Division III (n = 115) colleges across the United States. Division I athletes spent significantly more weekly exercise time (M = 687.97 minutes) than Division II (M = 512.38 minutes, p = .0007) or Division III (M = 501.32 minutes, p = .0003) athletes. When examining rates of menstrual dysfunction, 23 percent reported amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. Over 60 percent (64.3%) of the athletes reported a performance-related injury, with the knee being the most commonly injured site. 24 percent (23.7%) of the athletes reported having stress fractures. Scores for subclinical eating disorders for Division I athletes were significantly higher (M = 87.11) than Division III athletes (M = 82.94, p = .0042). Division I female athletes may be at an increased risk of developing subclinical eating disorders compared to those competing in Division II or III. Because early identification of those with subclinical eating disorders prevents the progression to eating disorders, further study is warranted.

scholarly journals DOES THE FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD REALLY EXIST?

2020 ◽  
pp. 037
Author(s):  
Ivana Petrović
Keyword(s):  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
High Level ◽  
Three Components

The Female Athlete Triad (Triad) is a medical condition of female athletes consisting of three components: low energy availability (EA), menstrual dysfunction (MD), and low bone mineral density (BMD). The prevalence of all three components of the Triad ranges from 1-14%. In last ten years, it has ranged from 1.3% up to 23% with 78% of female athletes having at least one of the three components of the Triad. The aim of this systematic review is to collect and analyze recent studies of the Female Athlete Triad. Based on an analysis of electronic databases and the inclusion criteria set, 20 studies were included in the analysis. The following conclusions are proposed based on their analysis: MD was the most prevalent among endurance athletes with ranges from 35.5% to 60.7%, with the presence of secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea, 30% to 64.0% and 18% to 27.0% and with a very high level of cases with irregular menorrhea, 72.3%. Low/negative EA ranges from 19.8% among non-leanness athletes and up to 77%. The greatest proportion of athletes in moderate- and high-risk categories for expressing the Triad participated in sports that emphasize leanness, including cross-country, gymnastics running, and lacrosse. A recommendation for future research is that they should focus on enhanced monitoring of physically active women, and the prevention of the Triad, stress fractures and osteoporosis.

The Female Athlete Triad

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Trattner Sherman ◽  
Ron A. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
School Age ◽  
Small Body Size ◽  
Sport Competition ◽  
Sport Activities ◽  
Women In Sports

The Female Athlete Triad is a syndrome of the interrelated components of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Sometimes inadvertently, but more often by willful dietary restriction, many female athletes do not ingest sufficient calories to adequately fuel their physical or sport activities, which can disrupt menstrual functioning, thereby increasing their risk of bone loss. Although its prevalence is unknown, the Female Athlete Triad is believed to affect many athletes at all ages and all sport competition levels. Even though the Triad affects athletes in all sports, girls and women in sports that emphasize a thin or small body size or shape appear to be most at risk. This article focuses on the risks of the Female Athlete Triad for middle-and high-school-age female athletes as well as the unique issues related to the identification, management, and treatment of the various components of the Triad in this special adolescent subpopulation.

The Female Athlete Triad

2018 ◽  
pp. 288-301
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Carlson ◽  
Katherine B. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Bone Acquisition ◽  
Low Energy Availability

In 2007, the female athlete triad was redefined to include (1) low energy availability with or without disordered eating; (2) menstrual dysfunction; and (3) decreased bone mineral density. Components of the triad are common during adolescence, a critical period for bone acquisition and growth, but the prevalence varies among athlete populations based on several factors. Screening for the triad should be a routine part of the preparticipation physical examination of adolescent athletes, and new recommendations exist for the screening and management of athletes at risk for complications from the triad. Awareness and education are critical for prevention and early intervention.

Body Mass-Related Predictors of the Female Athlete Triad Among Adolescent Athletes

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie J. Thralls ◽  
Jeanne F. Nichols ◽  
Michelle T. Barrack ◽  
Mark Kern ◽  
Mitchell J. Rauh
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Ideal Body Weight ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction

Early detection of the female athlete triad is essential for the long-term health of adolescent female athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between common anthropometric markers (ideal body weight [IBW] via the Hamwi formula, youth-percentile body mass index [BMI], adult BMI categories, and body fat percentage [BF%]) and triad components, (low energy availability [EA], measured by dietary restraint [DR], menstrual dysfunction [MD], low bone mineral density [BMD]). In the sample (n = 320) of adolescent female athletes (age 15.9± 1.2 y), Spearman’s rho correlations and multiple logistic regression analyses evaluated associations between anthropometric clinical cutoffs and triad components. All underweight categories for the anthropometric measures predicted greater likelihood of MD and low BMD. Athletes with an IBW ≤85% were nearly 4 times more likely to report MD (OR = 3.7, 95% CI [1.8, 7.9]) and had low BMD (OR = 4.1, 95% CI [1.2, 14.2]). Those in <5th percentile for their age-specific BMI were 9 times more likely to report MD (OR 9.1, 95% CI [1.8, 46.9]) and had low BMD than those in the 50th to 85th percentile. Athletes with a high BF% were almost 3 times more likely to report DR (OR = 2.8, 95% CI [1.4, 6.1]). Our study indicates that low age-adjusted BMI and low IBW may serve as evidence-based clinical indicators that may be practically evaluated in the field, predicting MD and low BMD in adolescents. These measures should be tested for their ability as tools to minimize the risk for the triad.

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