DOES THE FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD REALLY EXIST?

Abstract

The Female Athlete Triad (Triad) is a medical condition of female athletes consisting of three components: low energy availability (EA), menstrual dysfunction (MD), and low bone mineral density (BMD). The prevalence of all three components of the Triad ranges from 1-14%. In last ten years, it has ranged from 1.3% up to 23% with 78% of female athletes having at least one of the three components of the Triad. The aim of this systematic review is to collect and analyze recent studies of the Female Athlete Triad. Based on an analysis of electronic databases and the inclusion criteria set, 20 studies were included in the analysis. The following conclusions are proposed based on their analysis: MD was the most prevalent among endurance athletes with ranges from 35.5% to 60.7%, with the presence of secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea, 30% to 64.0% and 18% to 27.0% and with a very high level of cases with irregular menorrhea, 72.3%. Low/negative EA ranges from 19.8% among non-leanness athletes and up to 77%. The greatest proportion of athletes in moderate- and high-risk categories for expressing the Triad participated in sports that emphasize leanness, including cross-country, gymnastics running, and lacrosse. A recommendation for future research is that they should focus on enhanced monitoring of physically active women, and the prevention of the Triad, stress fractures and osteoporosis.