Female Athlete Triad: Updated Overview of Low Energy Availability and Triad Components

Abstract

The Female Athlete Triad is a clinical syndrome consisting of components such as menstrual dysfunction, low bone mineral density, and with or without disordered eating Low Energy Availability (LEA). LEA is the central or etiological factor of the triad. LEA occurs when the energy taken from food is too low (insufficient) to meet both the energy needs of exercise/training and the body's basic physiological functions, including growth, immunity, reproductive functions, and thermoregulation. It is stated that this may be due to the decrease in energy intake or the increase in energy expenditure. An athlete exposed to LEA lacks the energy to maintain normal bodily functions and the body needs to use energy sparingly. Menstrual disorders associated with the female athlete triad resulting from LEA can adversely affect the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular health and lead to a loss of approximately 2-3% in bone mass each year if left untreated. Treatment of the triad requires a multidisciplinary approach. Collaboration between health professionals, coaches, and families is very important. The treatment of each component of the triad takes place at different times, but the main purpose is to improve energy availability.

Keywords

• Bone mineral density
• Female athlete triad
• Low energy availability
• Menstrual dysfunction
• RED-S

Kadın Sporcu Triadı: Düşük Kullanılabilir Enerji ve Triad Bileşenlerine Güncel Bakış

Öz

Kadın Sporcu Triadı, bozulmuş yeme davranışı ile birlikte veya tek başına Düşük Kullanılabilir Enerji (DKE), menstrual fonksiyon bozukluğu ve düşük kemik mineral yoğunluğu gibi bileşenlerden oluşan klinik bir sendromdur. DKE durumu, triadın merkezi veya etiyolojik faktörüdür: Besinlerden alınan enerjinin hem egzersizin/antrenmanın enerji ihtiyacını hem de vücudun büyüme, bağışıklık ve üreme fonksiyonları ile termoregülasyon dahil olmak üzere temel fizyolojik fonksiyonlarını karşılamak için çok düşük (yetersiz) olması durumunda ortaya çıkan bir durumdur. Bu durumun, enerji alımındaki azalmadan veya enerji harcamasındaki artıştan kaynaklanabileceği belirtilmektedir. DKE’ye maruz kalan bir sporcu, normal vücut fonksiyonlarını sürdürecek enerjiden yoksundur ve vücudun bir enerji tasarrufuna gitmesi gerekmektedir. DKE’den kaynaklanan kadın sporcu triadı ile ilişkili menstrual bozukluklar, kas-iskelet sistemini ve kardiyovasküler sağlığı olumsuz etkileyebilmekte, tedavi edilmediği taktirde her yıl kemik kütlesinde yaklaşık %2-3 kayba neden olabilmektedir. Triadın tedavisi, multidisipliner bir yaklaşım gerektirir. Sağlık profesyonelleri, antrenörler ve aileler arasındaki iş birliği oldukça önemlidir. Triadın her bir bileşeninin tedavisi farklı sürelerde gerçekleşmekle birlikte temelinde kullanılabilir enerjinin iyileştirilmesi yatmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Düşük kullanılabilir enerji
• Kadın sporcu triadı
• Kemik mineral yoğunluğu
• Menstrual bozukluklar
• RED-S

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