Page 18 - Issue 2 2019 Cornwall Hill

adverTorial

The female

aThleTe Triad

Do you have a sporty, disciplined and competitive daughter at home? Are you
the dad that spends more time next to the sports field than next to the ‘braai’
over weekends? Are you the mom that buys energy drinks in bulk?
Written by Annami Havenga for Physio First

hose times are great. Hectic growth, development and reproduction. If The mainstay of treatment of the Triad is
and tiring, but most often very there is an imbalance it will affect the body increasing calorie intake to improve energy
rewarding – not just seeing your negatively . availability. Due to all 3 components being
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Tlittle princess achieve in her multi-factorial in their own right, it is a
discipline, but also to see her grow up and Athletes may present with 1, 2 or all 3 of difficult condition to treat.
develop emotionally. the components of the triad.
The boTTom line
Today I want to shed some light on her siGns and sYmpToms The Female Athlete Triad is a serious
PHYSICAL development as well. We all In the beginning, the symptoms of the condition that affects a lot of young
know exercise and sports are good for Female Athlete Triad may be subtle, but women. If left untreated, it has the
physical development and overall health, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) potential to cause permanent long-
but what happens if she overdoes it? is one of the easiest ways to detect the term health problems which include
Triad. Stress fractures, weight change, osteoporosis, fractures, reproduction
Have you ever heard of the FEMALE disordered eating, bradycardia, arrhythmia problems, infertility, cardiovascular disease
ATHLETE TRIAD? and depression are all early symptoms and decreased immune functions .
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commonly seen . 3
The Female Athlete Triad is defined as an If you suspect your daughter might be at risk,
interrelationship between menstrual cycle hoW is The female aThleTe a medical assessment by a sports physician/
changes, inadequate calorie intake and Triad TreaTed? medical doctor is of paramount importance.
decreased bone density in female athletes. 1 The greatest challenge in treating
This occurs when strenuous exercise is female athletes with the Triad is making As parents we want
combined with inadequate calorie intake the initial diagnosis of the condition.
which in turn leads to serious health Prevention and/or recognising the to see our children
consequences. It’s more prevalent among danger signs remains the best way to succeed on the track,
teenagers, but also present in adult keep her safe.
women. but let’s also make sure
A multi-disciplinary approach is usually
It is useful to think of an athlete’s calorie necessary for recovery. Support from a they succeed off the
intake in terms of 'energy availability', primary care and/or sports physician, track by keeping them
which is the amount of energy consumed as well as a nutritionist or dietitian,
in the diet minus the amount of energy psychiatrist or therapist, the team coach, healthy.
used during exercise. The amount of and family members, is extremely
energy left over is the 'energy availability' important throughout the rehabilitation For bookings or the full list of references
to carry out other body functions such as process . 1 please email me at info@physiofirst.co.za
18 Cornwall View • Issue 2 2020