What is the Female Athlete Triad and How Does it Affect Swimming Training?

What is the Female Athlete Triad and How Does it Affect Swimming Training?

 

What is the Female Athlete Triad?

This condition can affect women at any age and occurs when a female has irregular menstrual periods, low bone density, and disordered eating. Known as the "female athlete triad, though more common in the athletic population, can also occur in the nonathletic population"1 and often takes a team of coaches, physicians, and parents to diagnose.

Why does this affect female athletes?

A few factors make female athletes more susceptible to this condition. First, female athletes are participating in strenuous physical training, which as we've discussed in previous posts, requires a larger food intake than that of a non-athletic peer. While swimmers are definitely expending these calories in rigorous training sessions, female swimmers are sometimes under societal pressures to stay thin or look a certain way. Second, female athletes will modify their eating habits to adhere to these peer pressures, which often compromises their overall health. Finally, during a woman's menstrual cycle, they need extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy. When females are restricting their food intake, they often will miss or delay periods, known as amenorrhea. "Amenorrhea can be caused by a variety of diseases and genetic abnormalities, as well as energy deficiency and even stress."2


How do I know if I have this condition?

Diagnosing female athlete triad often takes a team approach, from people who interact with the swimmer on a daily basis, like a parent or family member, a coach or teacher, or maybe even another teammate. Pay attention to the following warning signs:

  • exercising frequently and excessively, beyond the normal training protocol
  • skipping family or team meals
  • excessive or rapid weight loss, or sudden weight fluctuations
  • missed periods
  • lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • frequent sore throats, dental cavities, or foul breath, which are all symptoms of self-induced vomiting
  • withdrawn or defensive attitude when asked about food or diet habits

Early recognition of the female athlete triad can be accomplished by the family doctor through risk factor assessment and screening questions.

How will this affect my swimming performance?

The female athlete triad will affect your athletic performance and swimming training in a number of ways. Frequent stress fractures are one of the first ways that your body will show signs of this condition. Because your body is not getting proper nutrition, your immune system is weakened and you are more prone to injuries. Your swim performance will also be impacted by your low energy reserves and you'll be less likely to power through those demanding practices.

But what's even more dangerous than the immediate impact on your swimming performance is the long-lasting effects on your health. Prolonged cases of female athlete triad result in osteoporosis, heart problems, and since they are "often difficult to recognize, the female athlete triad can have a significant impact on morbidity and even mortality in a relatively young segment of the population."3


1 comment

  • Khatija

    Hi… Are your products halaal friendly.
    Basically, what I’m asking is, does it have any animal fat or ingredients in it.

    Thanks.

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