Week 10 - Training for Specific Populations (Females, Children, Diabetics, Asthmatics, Epilepsy)

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

What is bulimia?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 11

the loss of bone mineral content

Question 12

What are the two major causes of osteoporosis?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

amenorrhea and osteoporosis

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What considerations must be taken into account for female athletes to maintain active training during pregnancy?

Answer 16

Monitor body temperature to prevent hyperthermia.
* Limit body temperature increase ≤1.5 °C.
* Aquatic exercise is recommended.

Maintain adequate hydration.
* Consume fluids at regular intervals (every 15 minutes).
* Monitor fluid balance by measuring body weight.

Reduce training intensity and volume as pregnancy advances.
* Regular examinations by physician to

Question 17

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 17

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 18

Is the risk of sudden cardiac death in healthy young athletes high or low?

Answer 18

Low - 1 to 3 deaths per 100,000 athletes

Question 19

What is a long-standing area of medical concern for children participating in sport?

Answer 19

That mechanical injury will cause damage to articular cartilage, growth plates, and muscle-tendons.
e.g. premature closure of growth plate

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Hypoglycemia (low blood-glucose) and this can be avoided via diet manipulation or through insulin injections/pumps. Having a carbohydrate snack or drink during exercise is also important in the event of hypoglycemia.

Question 21

Where should you inject insulin?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

decrease

Question 23

How can aerobic training be beneficial for asthmatics?

Answer 23

decrease airway inflammation and improve asthmatic symptoms

Question 24

Why is scuba diving dangerous for asthmatics?

Answer 24

asthma attack while diving can cause lung damage

Question 25

When is it NOT safe for people with asthma to participate in sport?

Answer 25

if their exercise-induced bronchospasm is NOT controlled

Question 26

What is epilepsy characterized by?

Answer 26

Seizures - transient loss of consciousness, muscle tremor and sensory disturbances

Question 27

Why may the risk of seizures increase during exercise and recovery in people with epilepsy?

Answer 27

1. Physical fatigue
2. Hyperventilation
3. Hypoxia
4. Hyperthermia
5. Hypoglycemia
6. Electrolyte imbalance
7. Emotional stress (excitement and tension)

Blow to head (football or boxing) can cause a seizure.