The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) are working to bring together representatives of various professional health care and community associations whose members have contact with at-risk female athletes. The young female athlete, driven to excel in her chosen sport is often pressured to fit a specific athletic image in order to reach her goals. This puts her at risk for the development of eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction and premature osteoporosis. The inter-relatedness of these three medical disorders has been termed the "female athlete triad."
Michelle Cameron, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and spokesperson for the AAOS, and Jane Crescimbeni-Pierce, RN, of NAON, are in agreement that working together to fight the triad is critical in its recognition, diagnosis and treatment. The first Female Athlete Triad Summit will be held July 26-27, at the Hyatt at University Village in Chicago.
It has been estimated that there are now nearly 2 million female athletes participating in athletics at the high school and collegiate levels since the passage of Title IX legislation in 1972. Title IX legislation required that any secondary or collegiate school that received federal assistance must provide equal athletic opportunities for both men and women. For most female athletes, increased participation in physical activity has led to improved physical fitness overall, but for some, a risk exists for the development of one or more of this triad of medical disorders. "Alone, each disorder is of significant medical concern, but when all three components of the triad are present, there is the potential for a more serious impact on one's health and risk of mortality," said Dr. Cameron.
According to a paper by Dr. Cameron, studies have shown that the incidence of eating disorders in the general population is 5-10%, while the incidence in female athletes ranges from 16-72%, depending on the sport. Compared to an occurrence rate of 2-5% in the general population, prevalence of menstrual irregularity in women participating in college varsity athletics is 28%. The onset of premature osteoporosis is directly connected to these conditions.
The summit will focus on all three elements of the triad, strengthen awareness of the problem and find ways to work together to combat it. Summit goals include: * Build awareness about the magnitude of the problem and the need for joint action * Identify actions to be taken by each represented association to elevate the awareness of this condition within their respected professions * Identify actions to be taken as a collaborative group to change assessment, diagnosis, treatment and education processes regarding this condition
Representatives from the following organizations have agreed to collaborate to address the summit goals: AAOS, NAON, American College of Sports Medicine, American Physical Therapy Association, American Society of Orthopaedic Professionals, National Association of School Nurses, National Athletic Trainers Association, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Society of Pediatric Nurses, Woman's Sports Foundation, and the Canadian Association of Sports Medicine. To successfully address this growing problem, community and medical resources need to work together, promoting the same solutions and ensure stronger, healthier female athletes. Results from the summit will be forthcoming.
The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (www.orthonurse.org) is a professional nursing association representing 7,000 registered and licensed practical / vocational nurses in the United States and several foreign countries. The association's mission is to advance the quality of musculoskeletal health care by promoting excellence in research, education and nursing practice.
The 25,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (http://www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (http://www.boneandjointdecade.org), the global initiative to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and Joint Decade, in support of these objectives.
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