The vast majority of theses in this collection are open access and freely available. There are a small number of theses that have access restricted to the WWU campus. For off-campus access to a thesis labeled "Campus Only Access," please log in here with your WWU universal ID, or talk to your librarian about requesting the restricted thesis through interlibrary loan.

Date Permissions Signed

11-12-2010

Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Stevenson, Joan C.

Second Advisor

Campbell, Sarah K.

Third Advisor

Lindsey, Billie J.

Fourth Advisor

Mosher, M. J. (Anthropologist)

Abstract

High performance female athletes can jeopardize their health if their energy requirements during preparations for competitions are excessive. The problems that result are called the Female Athlete Triad characterized by low energy availability with or without disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction/ amenorrhea, and osteoporosis and either alone or in combination can lead to more serious pathologies. The goal here is to determine whether intercollegiate female athletes exhibit elements of the triad at Western Washington University. Sixteen athletes from Western Washington University's soccer and cross-country program were recruited. Participant's average age was 19.24 years with an average height of 65.83 inches, average weight at 131.69 lbs and 23.08% body fat and 21.43. Each participant provided 72 hour dietary recall, and kept daily records on menstrual cycle changes and daily activities during and after the competitive season. Body composition and bone density was assessed during and after the season. Also collected daily, were urine samples for measures of estrogen, progesterone and cortisol (a stress marker). None of the athletes suffered from all three components of the triad but fourteen were deficient in caloric intake and many were in macronutrient intakes (Deficiencies: sixteen for Vitamin D.; ten for calcium; thirteen in magnesium; nine in iron and all for potassium). Caloric intake remained the same even during competition while expenditure differed significantly (p=0.05). Estrogen and progesterone levels were lower but not pathologically lower during the competitive season.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/yd5r-kg83

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

722013303

Comments

Western Washington University--Students--Health and hygiene, Women college athletes--Health and hygiene, Eating disorders, Amenorrhea, Osteoporosis

Subjects – Names (LCNAF)

Western Washington University--Students--Health and hygiene

Subject – LCSH

Women college athletes--Health and hygiene; Eating disorders; Amenorrhea; Osteoporosis

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Download

Included in

Anthropology Commons

Share

COinS