200 likes | 437 Vues
By: Jessica Daniels. “The female athlete triad (Triad) refers to the interrelationships among energy availability , menstrual function, and bone mineral density, which may have clinical manifestations including eating disorders, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea , and osteoporosis .” 1.
E N D
“The female athlete triad (Triad) refers to the interrelationships among energy availability, menstrual function, and bone mineral density, which may have clinical manifestations including eating disorders, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, and osteoporosis.”1 Defining the Triad
According to Dunford, any female can be at risk, but the most common athletes to experience low bone mineral density, menstrual dysfunction, and low energy availability are distance runners, ballet dancers, swimmers, and rowers.2 • Hobart and Smucker found that most athletes do not meet the criteria listed in the DSM-IV for anorexia nervosa and bulemia, but they will exhibit disordered eating patterns as part of the “triad syndrome”.3 Who is at Risk?
Criteria for Eating Disorders Hobart and Smucker3
Criteria for Eating Disorders Hobart and Smucker3
Further identification of eating disorders within individuals can occur with the usage of additional instruments.7 • Eating disorder questionnaires • Eating disorder surveys • Eating disorder inventory (EDI) • Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) • Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) Eating Disorder Instruments
Amenorrhea occurring in the athletic population can result due to a change in the hypothalamus, causing levels of estrogen to decrease. • There are two types—primary and secondary. • A history of amenorrhea is one of the easiest ways to detect the female athlete triad.3 Amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea: Menses fails to occur by the age of 16 years; if menses have not occurred by a time period of 4.5 years after breast development9 • Secondary amenorrhea: loss of 3 to 6 menstrual cycles consecutively for a female who has begun menses9 • Menstrual dysfunction is more common in athletic females when compared to the general population.9 Amenorrhea
Defined as ‘‘a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture”.1 • BMD levels reflect energy availability, menstrual status, and factors related to nutrition, behavior, and environment. • Low BMD pertains to a history of nutrition deficiencies, stress fractures, hypoestrogenism, and secondary fracture factors. Osteoporosis
Bone strength and fracture risk is dependent on the BMD level. • Bone mineral density (BMD) is used as a means of screening and diagnosis for osteoporosis. • Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing can be used to quantify density. 10 • According to von Schulthess and Zollikofer (2009), “the Female Athlete Triad becomes a diagnostic consideration for a radiologist when stress fractures and serous atrophy of the bone marrow are identified on magnetic resonance imagine (MRI).” 10 Osteoporosis
Depression • Frequent vomiting • Excessive exercise habits • Use of diet pills • Use of duretics • Excessive dieting for weight loss • Weight loss • Fatigue • Amenorrhea • Stress fractures • Disordered eating habits • Frequent trips to the bathroom • Use of laxatives • Anemia Signs and Symptoms
In most cases, treatment will involve multiple parties (physician, dietitian, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, coach, parents, friends, athlete). • Psychotherapy • Counseling with Sports Dietitian • Early intervention • Hormone replacement therapy (debated) • Alter participation by health level • Nutrition journal and goals (ex: calcium intake of 1500 mg/day) Treatment
Physician • Psychiatrist/Psychologist • Dietician • Certified Athletic Trainer • Coach • Family • Friends Who is Involved in Care? Coaches, family members, and friends can be a great source of support!
The following have been listed as risk factors: restricted energy intake, excessive exercise, disordered eating behaviors, frequent weigh-ins, punishment for weight gain, pressure to succeed/win, over-controlling coaches or parents, social isolation.3 • Prevention is seen as extremely important in this population, as long-term effects of the triad are detrimental to self-esteem, psychological state, and major body systems. • Education is a key element in preventing the female athlete triad. This can include athletes, parents, and coaches. Risk Factors and Prevention
The “Triad” Illustrated ACSM1
Now includes cardiovascular effects and sequalae11 • Has incorporated the recreationally active female Proposed Expansion of FAT
Case report: 16-year old female figure skater trains approximately 6 hours a week. She begins to experience chronic knee pain that fails to improve with rehab and treatment. When she is ordered to stop training she alters her diet out of fear of gaining weight. After modifying her diet to eliminate foods such as grains, salads, protein sources, and vegetables she loses weight over a period of 3 weeks. She then begins to miss menstrual cycles. At this point she has a much higher level of fatigue and chronic shin pain at night.8 Key points: In further investigation it becomes apparent that this athlete may have stopped formal training, but she continued off-ice training in addition to rehab. In essence, she deprived her body of vital nutrients, increased overall training, and added stress to her body.8 Example:
1. American College of Sports Medicine. (2007). The female athlete triad. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39 (10), 1867-1882. 2. Dunford, M. (2010). Fundamentals of sport and exercise nutrition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 3. Hobart, J. A., Smucker, D. R. (2000). The female athlete triad. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0601/p3357.html. 4. Griffith, H. W., Moore, S., Yoder, K. (2006). Complete guide to symptoms, illness & surgery (5th ed.). New York, NY: The Berkeley Publishing Group. 5. France, R. C. (2011). Introduction to sports medicine and athletic training (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NJ: Delmar. 6. Manore, M. M., Meyer, N. L., Thompson, J. (2009). Sport nutrition for health and performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. References
7. Brunet, M. (2005). Female athlete triad. Clinical Sports Medicine, 24, 623-636. 8. Alleyne, J., CASM, C. (2004). Female athlete triad: The flip side of living. The Canadian Journal of Diagnosis, 61-65. 9. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2000). Medical concerns in the female athlete. Pediatrics, 106(3), 610-613. 10.von Schulthess, G.K., Zollikofer, C.L. (2009). Musculoskeletal diseases. Segrate, Italy: Springer. 11. De Souza, M.J., Williams, N.I. (2004). Physiological aspects and clinical sequelae of energy deficiency and hypoestrogenism in exercising women. Human Reproduction Update, 10(5), 433-448. References