<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>It is well documented that regular physical activity has a beneficial effect on human health by affecting the metabolic processes that are of fundamental importance in the body’s functions, such as insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal, as well as lipid and lipoprotein turnover. On the other hand, there is a wealth of studies which indicate that strenuous, regular physical activity, such as that performed by high performance athletes, may be detrimental for the athletes’ health especially in women. This review focuses on the factors that contribute to health problems in female athletes, named the female athlete triad, which includes excessive dieting, menstrual dysfunctions (anovulatory menstrual cycles, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea) and a low bone mineral density (BMD). As a result of these factors, women who participate in sports, especially those focused on leanness, need special attention and education from health professionals, coaches and the athletes themselves to prevent the detrimental effects of an inadequate energy supply against high energy demands.</p></abstract>

It is well documented that regular physical activity has a beneficial effect on human health by affecting the metabolic processes that are of fundamental importance in the body’s functions, such as insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal, as well as lipid and lipoprotein turnover. On the other hand, there is a wealth of studies which indicate that strenuous, regular physical activity, such as that performed by high performance athletes, may be detrimental for the athletes’ health especially in women. This review focuses on the factors that contribute to health problems in female athletes, named the female athlete triad, which includes excessive dieting, menstrual dysfunctions (anovulatory menstrual cycles, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea) and a low bone mineral density (BMD). As a result of these factors, women who participate in sports, especially those focused on leanness, need special attention and education from health professionals, coaches and the athletes themselves to prevent the detrimental effects of an inadequate energy supply against high energy demands.

Female athletes and health

Department of Biochemistry and Biology, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

Biomedical Human Kinetics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Female athletes and health"}

It is well documented that regular physical activity has a beneficial effect on human health by affecting the metabolic processes that are of fundamental...

Female athletes and health

Publicado en línea: 28 jun 2016

Páginas: 83 - 87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bhk-2016-0012

Palabras clave
Female athlete, Menstrual dysfunction, Energy deficit, Health risk

© University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Female athletes and health

Publicado en línea: 28 jun 2016

Páginas: 83 - 87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bhk-2016-0012

Palabras claveFemale athlete, Menstrual dysfunction, Energy deficit, Health risk

© University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
Female athlete, Menstrual dysfunction, Energy deficit, Health risk