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The Female Athlete Triad

The female athlete triad is a set of interrelated conditions that can affect women in sports where leanness is important for success. These conditions involve: (a) insufficient food intake and eating disorders, (b) changes in the menstrual cycle or amenorrhea, where the period stops altogether, and (c) bone loss which can lead to osteoporosis.

This syndrome is most prevalent for women in such sports as distance running, gymnastics, swimming, and figure skating. Energy deficiency is considered to be the primary cause of the condition. Low energy can be caused by a conscious decision to reduce food intake to the point that it is not enough to meet the demands of training for a sport.

Mental and emotional factors can affect body image where athletes may feel a high drive for thinness. Added pressure from parents and coaches can contribute to the obsession with body image and the drive to achieve at all costs. Serious eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, can result.

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It is not unusual for women who train vigorously, particularly those in endurance sports, to experience menstrual irregularities, which may make them susceptible to the syndrome. The most serious menstrual problem is amenorrhea, which is defined as no menstrual period for 3 months or more.

Women with this condition are at higher risk for low bone mass, which means that bones become weaker. Osteoporosis can result when bone loss is severe. Bone loss can cause an increased risk of fractures, including stress fractures.

In 2002, The Female Athlete Triad Coalition was formed. It includes member organizations dedicated to addressing unhealthy eating behaviors, hormonal irregularities, and bone health among female athletes and active women. The American College of Sports Medicine updated their position stand in 2007. Both organizations provide comprehensive information and resources to promote education and healthy lifestyles for women in sports. (1,2)

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Sources:

1. The Female Athlete Triad Coalition. (2008). The female athlete triad. Retrieved September 6, 2009, from http://www.femaleathletetriad.org/

2. The American College of Sports Medicine. (2007). The female athlete triad position stand. Retrieved September 6, 2009, from http://www.femaleathletetriad.org/~triad/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ACSM_Female_Athlete_Triad_Position___Stand_2007.pdf