Female athlete triad
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remains under-recognised by support professionals.
The recent Olympic games put the world's top athletes on display in
more ways than one. As well as appreciating the extraordinary
performance achievements, we were able to admire the extremes of
physical development to which elite athletes hone their bodies. And as
we are less used to seeing muscly and highly toned female bodies, it is
the women who particularly stand out, from the solidly-muscled tiny
frame of a Kelly Holmes, to the willowy, fat-free physique of Paula
Radcliffe, the powerful stick-thinness of the high jumpers or the lithe
and unfeasibly supple bodies of the gymnasts.
Most women would never dream of trying to attain such extremes. And for
most, the lifetime benefits of moderate exercise far outweigh any risks
to our bodies. But some younger women, particularly if they are
embarking on a sporting or dance career, are vulnerable to a condition
known as 'the female triad' (female athlete triad), a combination
of three dysfunctions that can spiral their bodies into injury and very
serious long-term health consequences.
Health professionals dealing with female athletes - and especially
adolescents - need to be aware of the female triad. It is complex and
insidious: apparently physically fit and healthy women may be suffering
from it and the condition needs to be caught early before the big
damage sets in.
More...from Peak Performance Online at:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/female-athlete-triad.html