What is the Female Athlete Triad?

As time goes on, more and more women are becoming athletes. This is wonderful – we are feeling better, looking better, and finding out what we’re really made of. With this influx of new athletes within the last two decades, researchers have noticed an increase in ailments.

There are three symptoms that frequently pop up and researchers have coined the term The Female Athlete Triad. The Female Athlete Triad refers to 3 symptoms that occur in female athletes.

They are:

1. Eating irregularities
2. Menstrual irregularities
3. Weak bones

The root cause of the Triad is extreme training combined with improper eating. Strenuous training, while necessary for any athlete, must be supported by a sound nutrition plan. This is even more critical in women, because even at our leanest, we need to carry more body fat than men. Here’s the snowball effect: poor nutrition causes the body to conserve energy, since it’s not getting enough from food. This leads to menstrual irregularities, including loss of periods (the body stops the period in an effort to conserve energy). Once the period is stopped, estrogen levels are decreased, and bone turnover is not properly regulated. The prolonged effect of these symptoms can lead to weaker bones, which, in the extreme, can lead to osteoporosis.*

No athlete wants any part of this – it will impair your performance. If you feel you have any of these symptoms, seek the help of a qualified health professional. If you don’t have it, make sure you prevent it. Adhere strictly to a sound performance nutrition plan – especially during training season. Ensure that you are getting the proper amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and water that are necessary for you as an athlete. Another note: special care must be given to those in the teenage years, as they still have developing bones. Also, a girl’s first period may be delayed because of intense training and poor eating.

*A sound exercise and nutrition program helps to prevent osteoporosis, but when overtraining has occurred to the point of amenorrhea, weakened bones may develop, increasing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.

Take care of your body, and it will take care of you!

Copyright 2007 A.M. Birmingham

Warrior Fitness World