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FEMALE Athlete Triad The Dark Secret of Sport. Anne Maci Summer 2011 KINE 628- Sports Nutrition. Women and Sport. Title IX-1972. Female Athlete Triad. ACSM. Leaner is Better?.
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FEMALE Athlete TriadThe Dark Secret of Sport Anne Maci Summer 2011 KINE 628- Sports Nutrition
Women and Sport Title IX-1972
Female Athlete Triad ACSM
Leaner is Better? • Female Athlete Triad has a higher incidence rate in sports where a lean physique is desired for performance or more aesthetically pleasing. • Leads to a caloric deficit from women training more and consuming less.
Caloric Deficit Leads to Amenorrhea : HPG Axis • Hypothalamus releases a surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) every hour. • Timing and control of this hourly rush of GnRH will be the major factor in maintaining a normal menstrual cycle. • Around puberty, the pituitary gland secrets more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which will start the monthly menarche in young girls. • Any abnormality within these processes will have an effect the monthly menstrual cycle. Martin
Caloric Deficit Leads to Amenorrhea: Leptin • Although there is no critical level of body fat required for maintenance of menstruation, the level of body fat stores cannot be ignored. • Adipose cells produce and release a hormone called leptin. • Leptin plays a role in many of the body’s processes including regulating metabolism as well as reproduction.
Caloric Deficit Leads to Amenorrhea: Leptin • Leptin sends a signal to the brain telling it to release GnRH and activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. • When energy deficit is low so are leptin stores. The body will sacrifice non-essential functions (reproduction) in order to conserve essential functions (metabolism).
Caloric deficit leads to poor bone health • Amenorrheic athletes have reduced levels of: • Estradiol • Progesterone • Leptin • The positive effects of exercise can not compensate for the negative effects of these deficiencies. • Low bone mass in athletes primarily from • Low energy intake • Low bone building nutrients
Treatment of The female athlete triad • Increase caloric intake • Gradual increase energy intake to accommodate total energy expenditure and to improve weight gain. • Educate the athlete on using food as fuel for the body • For menstruation and bone health • Decrease energy expenditure • This can be decreasing the duration or frequency of exercise sessions, or both.
Remember every athlete is different! QUESTIONS?