The young female athlete.

Abstract

It is important that girls and young women participate in sports and develop skills that promote lifelong athletic participation, because of the psychological, sociologic, and physiologic benefits associated with exercise. When an athlete begins intensive, competitive exercise training at a young age, or when the preoccupation with thinness supersedes a desire to be healthy, potential morbidity results. Lack of information and the strong desire to win contribute to this problem. There is relatively little known about the long-term physical and psychological effects of early intensive athletic training and the female athlete triad on the young female athlete. In addition to the need for further research in these areas, there is a need for education of physicians, coaches, trainers, athletes, and parents. The preparticipation physical examination is an excellent opportunity for the physician to screen for the triad disorders and educate athletes and parents on healthy nutrition, normal menstrual function, and the benefits of exercise.