Week 10 - Training for Specific Populations (Females + Diabetics)

Question 1

What are key concerns/important factors for female athletes involved in vigorous training?

Answer 1

1. Exercise and the menstrual cycle.
2. Eating disorders.
3. Bone mineral density.
4. Exercise during pregnancy.

Question 2

What is “athletic” amenorrhea?

Answer 2

cessation of menstruation due to modified release of hormones from hypothalamus

Question 3

How common is amenorrhea in female athletes compared to the general population?

Answer 3

12-69% of female athletes versus 3% in general population

Question 4

What are the causes of amenorrhea?

Answer 4

• Amount of training (overtraining)
• Increase psychological stress (e.g. catecholamines)
• Low energy availability (increased EE and/or restricted nutrient intake)

Question 5

What is dysmenorrhea?

Answer 5

It’s the painful menstruation due to prostaglandins and it may limit training due to discomfort.

Question 6

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 6

Type of eating disorder where extreme steps are taken to reduce body weight. This includes starvation, excessive exercise and laxative use.

Question 7

What are the effects of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 7

• Excessive weight loss
• Amenorrhea
• Death

Question 8

What are treatments for anorexia nervosa?

Answer 8

• Psychological weight loss
• Nutritional guidance

Question 9

Warning signs for anorexia nervosa.

Answer 9

rapid weight loss
mood swings
excessive exercise
wearing baggy clothes
avoiding food-related activities

Question 10

What is bulimia?

Answer 10

a type of eating disorder which includes pattern of overeating (binding) followed by vomiting (purging)

Question 11

What are the effects of bulimia and how is bulimia treated?

Answer 11

Damage to teeth and esophagus due to vomiting of stomach acids and it requires professional support.

Question 12

Warning signs of bulimia.

Answer 12

noticeable weight loss
depressive moods
strict dieting followed by eating binges
bathroom visits after meals

Question 13

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 13

the loss of bone mineral content

Question 14

What are the two major causes of osteoporosis?

Answer 14

1. Estrogen deficiency due to amenorrhea.
2. Inadequate calcium intake due to eating disorders.

Question 15

What is the “Female Athlete Triad” or now commonly referred to as Relatively Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)?

Answer 15

It’s a medical problem commonly observed in physically active young girls and women.

Involves 3 components:
1) Eating disorders/low energy availability
2) Menstrual dysfunction (amenorrhea)
3) Low bone mineral density

Question 16

What health consequences is the Female Athlete Triad/ Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) associated with?

Answer 16

amenorrhea and osteoporosis

Question 17

What is the cause of the Female Athlete Triad/ RED-S?

Answer 17

low energy intake - leads to health problems due to lack of energy required for maintaining cellular homeostasis

Question 18

Female athletes are at higher risk of knee injuries compared to male athletes. They are 3.5x higher risk of non-contact ACL injury. What are the possible reasons for this?

Answer 18

Fluctuation in hormones during menstrual cycle.
* May compromise ACL strength and/or proprioceptor
feedback.

Sex differences in knee anatomy.
* May be due to greater joint laxity
(loose joint) in women.

Dynamic neuromuscular
imbalances.
* Imbalanced strength,
proprioception, and landing biomechanics.

Question 19

What must type 1 diabetes avoid when exercising? How can they avoid this?

Answer 19

Hypoglycemia (low blood-glucose)

This can be avoided via the combination of exercise, diet manipulation or through insulin injections/pumps for optimal blood glucose control. Having a carbohydrate snack or drink during exercise is also important in the event of hypoglycemia.

Question 20

Where should you inject insulin?

Answer 20

away from working muscles to prevent increase rate of uptake and hypoglycemia

Question 21

People with type 1 diabetes should _______________ the dose of insulin they inject on strenuous training days to avoid hypoglycemia.

Answer 21

decrease