The Female Athlete Triad

The female athlete triad is a combination of three factors that put certain female athletes at an increased risk of injury. The three factors include: an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, disordered eating), amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual cycle for at least 3 cycles), and osteoporosis.

 

Eating disorders are usually the first factor of the triad to show up. The low energy intake can cause a female to experience amenorrhea. When an athlete experiences amenorrhea there is a decreased production of the hormone estrogen which has a huge role in maintaining adequate bone mineral density. If there’s a low amount of estrogen there’s an increased risk for low bone mineral density and increased risk of osteoporosis.

 

Females in sports with a lot of pressure to fit their sports image/maintain a certain body weight, exercising more than is necessary for the sport, and those who are very competitive are at increased risk. Sports examples include: gymnastics, cheerleading, and cross country.

 

Disordered eating (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating), amenorrhea, weight loss, fatigue, premature osteoporosis, inadequate bone development, increased frequency of fractures or stress fractures.

 

Female athletes predisposed to the triad symptoms must be constantly monitored by coaches, parents, teammates, and athletic trainers. Athlete’s total health should be taken into account and prevention should be top priority.   Explaining to female athletes the potential causes of the syndrome and risks of the disorder is a good way to begin prevention.

 

 

 

Prentice WE. Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training; A Competency Based Approach 12^th edition. 2006 McGraw-Hill, New York.

 

Birch K. Female Athlete Triad. BMJ. 2005:330(29):244-246

Melissa Gottschalk, ATC is a first year graduate student and recipient of the Hughston Athletic Training Fellowship in Columbus, Georgia. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in December of 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Health Management with an emphasis in Athletic Training.  While attending Southeast, she completed rotations with gymnastics, men’s basketball, baseball, football, men’s and women’s track and volleyball.   In addition to her responsibilities at Southeast, Melissa also completed a rotation at Cape Central High School and Health Point Fitness center, as well as an internship at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melissa was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and the Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Honor Society. Awards received while at Southeast included: Gamma Phi Beta Senior of the Year 2007, Dean’s list, and Scholar Athlete Awards. She is an active member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA), as well as an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Missouri, in which she has attended several mission trips sponsored by the Reach Program. Melissa has been assigned to and will oversee the healthcare of the athletes at Hardaway High School in Columbus, Georgia.