Effect of physical training on the female athlete triad
- Citation:
- Effect of physical training on the female athlete triad, Osman, Doaa , Germany, (2015)
Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the effect of physical training on menstrual functions, BMD, body composition and nutritional status in adolescent female athletes. Twenty-five adolescent female athletes and twenty-five adolescent female non-athletes participated in this study. BMD and body composition were evaluated using DEXA. The training, nutritional, menstrual and fractures histories were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that percentages of athletes who had menstrual dysfunction, low BMD and stress fractures were 48%, 4% and 28%, respectively and 12%, 4% and 8%, respectively in the nonathletes. Results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in menarche age and statistically significant decrease in No. of menstrual cycles in last year, total BMD, as well as highly significant decrease (P<0.0001) in total fat % and total fat mass, while there were non-significant differences (P>0.05) in femoral neck BMD, femoral neck Z-score and total lean mass of the athletes compared with the non-athletes. Also, results showed significant increase (P<0.05) in menarche age and highly significant decrease (P<0.0001) in No. of menstrual cycles in last year, as well as significant
decrease (P<0.05) in femoral neck BMD and femoral neck Z-score, while there were non-significant differences (P>0.05) in total BMD and body composition of oligo/amenorrheic athletes compared with eumenorrheic athletes. Also, there were significant increase (P<0.05) in menarche age and highly significant decrease (P<0.0001) in No. of menstrual cycles in last year, as well as significant decrease (P<0.05) in femoral neck BMD and femoral neck Z-score, while there were non-significant differences
(P>0.05) in total BMD and body composition of oligo/amenorrheic nonathletes compared with eumenorrheic non-athletes. Sport training during puberty, low BMI and low body fat in athletes can be associated with delayed menarche, menstrual dysfunction, low total BMD and stress fractures. Female athletes should be evaluated periodically and educated about the possible negative effects of oligo/amenorrhea on bone health.