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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Case
report
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RECOVERY OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND FERTILITY IN A FORMER AMENORRHEIC ATHLETE |
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Karen Hind  |
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Cardio-metabolic Research Group, Carnegie Research Institute, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 415 - 418 |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| Inadequate dietary intake and prolonged amenorrhea in women athletes
can lead to bone loss, particularly at the spine, which may be irreversible.
This report presents the case of a woman endurance runner, followed prospectively
over 6 years after presenting with the female athlete triad. Bone mineral
density (BMD) and body composition were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
At baseline, lumbar spine (LS), total hip and total body (TB) BMD Z-scores
were -2.2, -0.5 and -0.3 respectively. At 6 years, following a recovery
plan of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), weight gain, improved dietary
intake and reduced training load, the athlete regained menstrual function
and BMD. LS, TB and hip BMD Z-scores improved to -0.6, -0.1 and 0.1 respectively.
Restoration of fertility was indicated by pregnancy, following only 4 months
of regular menstruation. This case report suggests that bone density and
fertility may not be completely jeopardised in formerly amenorrheic and
osteopenic athletes, providing recovery through diet, weight gain, and return
of menstruation is achieved within the third decade. Longitudinal studies
tracking bone changes in women with amenorrhea and low BMD are required
and would have important implications for the treatment of the female athlete
triad.
Key words: Female athlete triad, runner, bone density, recovery. |
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