Prevalence of female athlete triad characteristics in a club triathlon team. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007 May;88(5):681-2
Date
05/01/2007Pubmed ID
17466740DOI
10.1016/j.apmr.2007.02.035Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34247200463 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 30 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the female athlete triad in club triathletes.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
SETTING: Academic medical center in the midwestern United States.
PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen women (mean age, 35+/-6 y).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disordered eating and menstrual status were determined by questionnaires. Energy status was determined by a 3-day food record, resting energy expenditure, and exercise energy output. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the total left hip and lumbar spine (L2-4) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS: Sixty percent of the triathletes were found to be in calorie deficit, 53% had a carbohydrate deficit, 47% had a fat deficit, 40% had a protein deficit, and 33% had a calcium deficit. Forty percent of triathletes reported a history of amenorrhea. BMD was normal in the lumbar spine (L2-4) (1.3+/-0.1 g/cm(2)) and total left hip (1.1+/-0.1 g/cm(2)).
CONCLUSIONS: Triathletes are at risk for components of the female athlete triad. Continued efforts need to be directed at prevention through education of athletes, coaches, parents, and health care professionals.
Author List
Hoch AZ, Stavrakos JE, Schimke JEMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAmenorrhea
Bone Density
Cross-Sectional Studies
Energy Metabolism
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Female
Humans
Osteoporosis
Prevalence
Sex Factors
Sports
