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The Female Athlete Triad pp 155–171Cite as

Strategies to Promote Bone Health in Female Athletes

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Abstract

The current definition of the Female Athlete Triad is defined as a spectrum disorder including an energy imbalance, amenorrhea, and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Not all three components must be present for the athlete to suffer from long-term negative consequences. The true incidence of reduced BMD among athletes compared with age-matched controls is unknown. While both sexes will lose BMD over time, females undergo menopause that results in an accelerated bone loss. There is a strong need to educate physicians about the Triad spectrum because the best approach to identifying patients who have or who are at risk for developing the Female Athlete Triad centers on obtaining a comprehensive history. Previous studies have shown that overall awareness of the Triad is low. Increasing awareness of the Female Athlete Triad also ought to be done at the patient- and community-based level. A team-centered approach will maximize the patient’s recovery through the development of a comprehensive treatment plan with a strong emphasis on patient education.

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Abbreviations

ACSM:

American College of Sports Medicine

ADA:

American Dietetic Association

AED:

Academy for Eating Disorders

ANAD:

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

BMD:

Bone mineral density

DXA:

Dual X-ray absorptiometry

IOC:

International Olympic Committee

NCAA:

National Collegiate Athletic Association

PPE:

Pre-participation evaluation

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Catherine Logan MD, MBA, MSPT

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Catherine Logan MD, MBA, MSPT

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Emily Curry BA & Elizabeth Matzkin MD, MS

  4. Brigham and Women’s Orthopedic Center/Sports Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Emily Curry BA & Elizabeth Matzkin MD, MS

Authors
  1. Catherine Logan MD, MBA, MSPT
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  2. Emily Curry BA
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  3. Elizabeth Matzkin MD, MS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emily Curry BA .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Catherine M. Gordon

  2. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Meryl S. LeBoff

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Logan, C., Curry, E., Matzkin, E. (2015). Strategies to Promote Bone Health in Female Athletes. In: Gordon, C., LeBoff, M. (eds) The Female Athlete Triad. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7525-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7525-6_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7524-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7525-6

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