Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

This paper was developed in order to identify psychological and physiological causes and consequences of the female athlete triad in distance runners. The most serious conditions of the female athlete triad are eating disorders, menstrual disorders, and bone disorders. Psychological factors have been implicated as the primary cause of disordered eating among this group of athletes. The disordered eating of a female distance runner can set off a sequence of physical health problems. An energy deficit, typical in endurance runners with eating difficulties, coupled with intense exercise training, may lead to lower reproductive hormones in the blood, amenorrhea, and reduced bone mineral density. If an endurance runner continues to engage in exercise training and undereat, her bones become more fragile. These conditions put a runner at increased risk for skeletal injury. Attainment of energy balance and resumption of regular menstrual cycles have been shown to partially reverse the harmful effects of disordered eating.

Year of Submission

1998

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Fred Kolkhorst

Comments

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Date Original

1998

Object Description

1 PDF file (29 pages)

Language

en

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