Moderate Risk of the Female Athlete Triad Predicts Injuries in Division II Female Athletes: 423 Board #264 May 30 1100 AM - 1230 PM

Department

Health Promotion

Document Type

Article

Publication Source

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Publication Date

2018-5

Volume

50

Issue

5S

First Page

97

Last Page

97

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The female athlete triad is the interrelation of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. Previously, the components of the female athlete triad have been linked to stress fractures and tendinopathies. However, limited research exists regarding the female athlete triad beyond the relationship of these injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between risk for the female athlete triad and musculoskeletal injuries. We hypothesized that athletes who presented with a higher risk of the female athlete triad would have a greater occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries during their competitive season.

METHODS: Fifty-seven female athletes from a NCAA Division II college completed questionnaires that assessed female athlete triad cumulative risk using 5 factors (low energy availability, low body mass index, delayed menarche, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and stress fractures). Women were grouped according to how many risk factors they had for the female athlete triad. At the end of each sport season, injury data was compiled using SportsWare (an electronic medical record database used by the athletic trainers to manage injury data).

RESULTS: Forty-one women were considered low risk for the female athlete triad (Low Risk Triad group) and 16 women were considered moderate risk for the female athlete triad (Moderate Risk Triad group). No women in our study were at high risk for the female athlete triad. Forty-seven of the 57 women (82%) incurred 90 musculoskeletal injuries. The most prevalent injuries included: low back pain/spasm/strain (n=12), followed by shin splints/medial tibial stress syndrome (n=9), general knee pain (n=7), quadriceps strain (n=6), and knee sprain (anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament sprains; n=5). The number of in-season injuries in the Moderate Risk Triad group (2.1±0.4) was higher (p

CONCLUSION: Moderate risk of the female athlete triad appears to increase the risk of injury during the competitive season beyond stress fractures and women with a moderate risk of the female athlete triad should be monitored closely by athletic trainers and coaches.

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000535403.40799.9e

Comments

A-53 Free Communication/Poster - Age and Gender Issues Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM Room: CC-Hall B

https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000535403.40799.9e

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