CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN SPORTS

UNIT 2

Presented by
PRESENTED BY
SCHOLAR SAKSHAM HAJELA
SAKSHAM
PGT HAJELA
(Physical Education)
(PGT PHYSICAL EDUCATION)
[email protected]
 CONTENT
Exercise guidelines of WHO for different age groups.

Common postural deformities-knock knees, flat foot, round shoulders,

Lordosis, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, and bow legs and their respective corrective
measures.
Women’s participation in Sports – Physical, Psychological, and social
benefits.

Special consideration (menarche and menstrual dysfunction)

Special consideration (menarche and menstrual dysfunction)

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 Exercise Guidelines of WHO for Different Age Groups

• World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified lack of physical activity, or physical
inactivity, as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality (6% of deaths globally).
• Regular participation in physical activities and sports provides ample opportunities to
maintain physical, mental and social health. Participation in sports and physical activity
results in benefits like an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem, a better control over
emotions, reduction in levels of stress, anxiety and depression, maintenance of healthy
weight, social interaction and achieving high performance in academics.
• Children and young people should not be allowed to sit for long hours watching TV, playing
computer games and travelling by car.

• Recommendations for Children Under 5 Years of Age

• “Achieving health for all means doing what is best for health right from the beginning of
people’s lives,” says WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. (Dr Ted-ros
Adhanom Ghe-bre-ye-sus.) “Early childhood is a period of rapid development and a time
when family lifestyle patterns can be adapted to boost health gains.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 Recommendations for Children Under 5 Years of Age

Infants (Less than 1 year)

• Infants should be provided enough space and open environment to promote movement
and minimize restrictive or sedentary behaviour so that they may explore their
surroundings.
• Babies should be encouraged to be active throughout the day. Before baby begins to
crawl, encourage her/him to be physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling and
pushing, moving her/his head, body and limbs during daily routines, and during supervised
floor play. This includes giving the baby 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time).
• Playing equipment should be carefully chosen and must not be so small that it can be
swallowed or have sharp edges or be prepared with toxic material. Activities like crawling
and rolling should be performed on mat or sheet that is at least 7 feet by 4 feet in size.
• Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as active as possible in a safe
environment. During sedentary timing, the child must be engaged in reading and
storytelling for encouragement.
• For 0-3 months of age 14-17 hours and for 4-11 months of age baby should have 12-16
hours of good quality sleep that includes naps.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
Toddlers (1-2 years of age)
• In this group sedentary screen time like involvement with computer games, watching TV or video is
not recommended. Engagement in reading and storytelling should not be for more than one hour.
• It is recommended toddlers get 11-14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular
sleep and wake-up times.
• At this stage following activities/exercises promoted:
 Gross motor developmental skills
 Head control
 Crawling
 Moving arms, legs
 Reaching to various objects Infants should be provided with objects, toys and games
 Throwing, catching and kicking a ball

Children (3–7 years of age)

• Children should spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any
intensity, of which at least one hour is spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity.
• Quality sleep between 10-13 hours is recommended which includes a nap, with regular sleep
and wake-up times.
 Fine motors developmental skills i.e., coordinative activities.
 Movement skills (throwing, jumping, catching or kicking the ball)
 Emphasis on participation and not on competition.
 Structured as well as unstructured physical activities should be performeddaily for at least
sixty minutes daily.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
Later Childhood (8 to 12 years)
• These recommendations are relevant to healthy children and youth between 5 to 17 of age
irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status.
• Activities should be done in a progressive manner, for example starting the session with simple
exercises to complex, gradually increasing the frequency, duration and intensity of the activities.
There are various stages of growth in this age group, wherein at every stage the type of activities
changes. The chief aim of activities during this age group is to improve cardio-respiratory and
muscular fitness, bone health, and to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
 Throwing, jumping, catching, running etc., so that they can acquire body control, strength and
coordination.
 Participation in organized or team games which aim to develop socialconsciousness in them.
 Children should be introduced to competitive sports and taught the basic rules of sports
competition.
 Introduction of concept of endurance, strength, agility, coordination & balance.

Adolescence (13 to 19 years)

 Adolescents should perform resistance exercises for at least two days a week to tone their muscles
and bones. These exercises enhance strength of skeletal muscles. power, endurance and mass.
 Adolescents or teenagers should avoid sedentary lifestyle.
 Physical activities or exercises such as running, gymnastics, push-ups, jumping rope, playing hockey,
basketball, swimming, tennis, and resistance exercises (weight training) are also very beneficial
during adolescence.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
Adults 19-65 Years

• These recommendations are relevant to healthy adults aged between 18 to 64 irrespective of

gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status. Adults/youth with disabilities may follow these
recommendations with adjustment as per capacity or limitations. An adult having any medical
condition should follow the advice of medical official. Activities should be done in a progressive
manner, for example, start the session with simple exercises and move to complex, gradually
increasing frequency, duration and intensity of the activities.
 Adults should always try to be physically active. They should regularly go for brisk walking, bike
riding, dancing, and swimming with moderate intensity.
 They should also perform running, aerobic exercises, weight training push-ups, sit-ups, etc., for
muscle strengthening.
 They should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary.
 Due to their busy lifestyle adults require such exercises or activities that helps them to increase their
muscular and bone strength. For this, they should perform resistance exercises for at least two days a
week to tone their muscles and bones. These exercises enhance strength of skeletal muscles. power,
endurance and mass.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 POSTURE

• Posture is the position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting or lying down.
• Dynamic posture is how one holds oneself when moving, for example, walking, running, or bending
over to pick up something. It is usually required to form an efficient basis for movement.
• Static posture is how one holds oneself when stationary or not moving, For example, sitting, standing,
or sleeping. Body segments are aligned and maintained in fixed positions.
COMMON POSTURAL DEFORMITIES Kyphosis

Lordosis
Knock Knee Bow Legs Flat Foot Round Shoulders Spinal Deformities

Scoliosis

• Postural deformities is the malformation of any component or body part or joint of the body.
Types of deformity
• Functional deformity (soft tissue are affected)
• Structural deformity (bony structure are affected)

• Common terms used in this chapter -Deformities/ Concavity / Convexity/ Anterior/ Posterior
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 KNOCK-KNEES/ GENU VALGUM
 Knock Knee Is a postural deformity in which the legs are bent Inward and knees strike each
other while walking or running. In knock knees, the knees join together while there Is a wide
gap between the ankles varying directly with the degree of deformity.

 CAUSES
• lack of Balanced diet.
• Rickets/ Infection / Obesity.
• Flat foot.
• Carrying heavy weight
• Muscular or ligaments weakness at early or adolescent age
• Fractures and injuries involving the knee joint.

 REMEDIES/ CORRECTIVE MEASURES

• Horse-riding, cycling
• Perform Gomukhasana and Padmasana regularly.
• Use cod Iiver oil or intake diet rich in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.
• Keep a pillow between the knees and stand erect for some time.
• Use walking calipers.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 BOW LEGS/ GENU VARUM
 In this condition, the legs curve out like a bow.. There remains a wide gap between knees
when a bow legged person keeps his feet together. Bowing is an expected growth pattern
in the legs of babies and toddlers. The bowing is caused by the position of the baby’s legs in
the womb. Bow legs may become more obvious in toddlers as they begin to walk. When a
child with bow legs stands with their feet and ankles together, the knee stay apart.
 CAUSES
• Rickets.
• Deficiency of vitamin D and calcium.
• Improper way of walking.
• Obesity.
• Forcing babies to walk at early stage.

 REMEDIES/ CORRECTIVE MEASURES

• (I) Vitamin ‘D’ and calcium should be taken in require amount.
• (Ii) Walk on the inner edge of the feet.
• (iii) Walk by bending the toes Inward.
• (Iv) perform Garudasana regularly.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 FLATFOOT/ PES PLANUS
 Flat foot is the term used when the arch of your foot is lower than normal. This condition Is also
known as fallen arches. The foot is usually an arch shape, with the middle part off the ground and the
heel and ball of the foot touching the ground.

 CAUSES
• Weak muscles.
• Increase in body weight.
• Using improper shoes.
• Carrying heavy weight for a longer period.
• Standing for a long time.

 REMEDIES/ CORRECTIVE MEASURES

• Walk and jump on toes.
• Walk on heels
• loose weight.
• Skip on rope.
• Perform stretching exercises.
• Use good quality shoes
• picking up marbles with toes,
• Walk bare footed over the sand.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 ROUND SHOULDERS
 The term rounded shoulders used to describe a resting shoulder position that has moved forward
the body’s ideal alignment. It is a postural deformity in which the shoulders become round and
periods of time can contribute to rounded shoulders.

 CAUSES
• Due to heredity.
• By wearing very tight clothes.
• By sitting on improper furniture.
• By walking, sitting in bent position.
• Lack of proper exercise.

 REMEDIES/ CORRECTIVE MEASURES

• Keep your tips of fingers on your shoulders and encircle your elbows clockwise and
• anticlockwise direction for same number of times.
• Hold the horizontal bar for some time.
• Perform Chakraasana and Dhanurasana regularly.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 SPINAL CURVATURE

• The cervical spine curves slightly inward, sometimes described as a

backward C-shape .
• The thoracic spine curves outward, forming a regular C-shape with
the opening at the front.
• The lumbar spine curves inward and, like the cervical spine, has a
backward C-shape

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 KYPHOSIS/ HUNCH BACK
 Kyphosis is a forward rounding of upper back. Some rounding is normal but the term "Kyphosis"
usually refers to and exaggerated rounding, This deformity is also called round back or hunch back. It
can occur at any age but is most common in older women. Age related Kyphosis is often due to
weakness in the spinal bones.
Exa-gge-rated - EXCESSIVE
 CAUSES
• Malnutrition/ Illness/Insufficient exercise
• Rickets /Carrying heavy loads.
• Unsuitable furniture./Weak muscles.
• Shyness among girls /Bending while walking.
• Wearing tight cloths. Due to heredity.

 REMEDIES/ CORRECTIVE MEASURES

• Always keep a pillow under your back while sleeping.
• Bend your head backward in standing position.
• Perform swimming.
• Perform dhanurasana, Chakraasana regularly.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 LORDOSIS/ SWAYBACK
 Lordosis is the inward curvature of spine. It is an increased forward curve in the lumber region. It
create problem in standing and walking. The body seems to be stiff. It can be corrected in early age.

 CAUSES
• imbalanced diet.
• improper development of muscles.
• Taking more food than required.
• Overweight or obesity.
• Diseases of spinal muscles.

 REMEDIES
• Perform toe-touching at least 10 times.
• Perform sit ups regularly.
• Perform Hal asana, naukasana paschimontnasana regularly.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 SCOLIOSIS
 The back (spine) should look straight, up and down, when you look at someone from behind, If the
spine has a sideways curve. it is called a scoliosis. The curve can bend to the left or to the right. It
can be in a shape of ‘C’ or ‘S’ type.

 CAUSES
• Diseases in the joints of bones
• Under developed legs/Infantile paralysis (polio)
• Rickets/Birth defects.
• Difference in the lengths of the legs.
• lifting weight towards one side in routine.
• Wrong standing posture/Unsuitable furniture.

 REMEDIES
• Hold the horizontal bar with hands and let your body hang for some time.
• Swim by using breast stoke technique.
• Perform bending exercise in opposite side of the ‘C’ shaped curve.
• Perform Trikonasana and Ardhchakraasana in opposite direction.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS
• Women’s sports, both amateur and professional, have existed throughout the world for centuries in all
varieties of sports. In the days of Mahabharata, Shakuntala, Madhuri, Kunti all chose physical activities as
recreation. As time passed, Indian women, despite (के बावजूद) having potential and talent, were deprived
(वंचित) of participation in sports for a number of reasons. Although the level of participation and
performance can still be improved, women’s participation in sports is generally accepted and promoted
today.
• There is still a large disparity(differences) in participation rates between women and men. But to deal with this
disparity many countries like India run programmes such as Khelo India scheme and National Sports Talent
Search Scheme (NSTSS) to mainstream women’s participation in sports in India.

• While in the past there were certain psychological constraints ( restriction) like low self-confidence and self-
esteem, higher levels of stress and anxiety, and social causes like lack of support from family and a male-
dominated social structure that affect women’s participation in sports, or even, certain economic factors that
played a negative role that affected women’s participation in sports, these are all a thing of the past.

• Women who play sports continue to face many obstacles, such as lower pay, less media coverage, and
different injuries compared to their male counterparts.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) encourages participation not only in playing sports but in
National Olympic Committees and International Federations and conducting regional seminars for female
administrators, coaches, technical officials and journalists. In a recent announcement by IOC, 49% women will
take part in next Olympic games.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

Women participation in Sports Physical, Psychological and Social benefits

PHYSICAL BENEFITS
 Lifestyle Diseases Sports participation helps women to stay active, reduces
chances of lifestyle diseases such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity etc. and
enables them to live a healthy life.
 Bone Density There is a higher chance of osteoporosis in female than
males. Sports help them to increase their bone density and have stronger bones.
 Toned Muscles Regular exercise and participation in sports increases the
muscle tone of women which helps them to stay strong.
 Cardiovascular System Regular exercise helps increase the number of capillaries,
helping them in the intake of oxygen. This enables women to participate in sports for a
longer period without getting fatigued.
 Obesity Obesity is one lifestyle disease which is found in every part of the
world. Most of the India’s population is also suffering from this disease. Women has
more chances of being obese than men, regular participation in sports helps them to
stay in shape and stay fit.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS
• Participation in sports has a great impact on women psychologically as it gives them
confidence and enhances their self-esteem. It gives them that sense of achievement which
empowers them to achieve and overcome any obstacles that they may have faced. Some
of the psychological benefits of participation in sports are:
 Stress Management Any physical activity releases lot of hormones in our body which
helps us to stay happy and reduces stress levels. Sportspersons, men and women, who
participate in sports can manage their stress better than those who don’t participate in the
sports.
 Control Emotions Women, like their male counterparts, who participate in sports
are well equipped to manage their emotions as they face difficult situations in the game,
and regular participation makes them emotionally stronger.
 Confidence Every small win increases the confidence of the winner. Thus,
when a woman participates in sports and wins, it gives not just her, but other women
sportspersons a sense of achievement and really boosts their confidence. This renewed
confidence in themselves they bring to all areas of their life.
 Self – Esteem Sports helps women to realise their self-worth and when they
achieve or even participate in sports, they get a boost in their self-image and that helps
them to realise their own worth, which is very important for an individual.
 Leadership one of the best quality about sports is that it inculcates or bring
out the leadership skills or qualities of an individual. Those women, or men, who
participate in sports better are able to lead people even outside the sports as well.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 SOCIAL BENEFITS
• Women participation in sports helps them to be more open towards society as it helps them to
communicate with others and helps them to bond with their teammates and other officials. Some of
the social benefits of sports are as follows:

 Coordination- Sport helps in increasing and improving the coordination between

team players and women who participate in sports learn the skill of working in coordination with
others.
 Communication- Communication is an integral part of sports as players must communicate with
each other while playing. It helps women participants to be more vocal and expressive.
 Inter-relationships- A sport is not played in isolation, it’s a team effort, whether it is inside
the team or as supporting staff, the player must maintain her relationship with everyone in the
team. Women participants learn to maintain their relationships and respect each other whether it is
on the field or off the field.
 Cooperation- Women learn to cooperate with each other when they are playing on
the field. This becomes a part of their life also as they learn to work and cooperate with others in
total harmony and peace.

 Because of the above discussed benefits women should participate in sports. Women’s
participation in sports should be encouraged in schools, colleges and in universities. Awareness
programmes for women’s participation in sports should be conducted on a regular basis and they
should be encouraged to participate in competitive sports.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 P.T Saikhom
Karnam Sakshi Usha Anju Bobby Mirabai Lovlina
Saina P.V.
Malleswari Mary Kom Nehwal Malik Sindhu George Chanu Borgohain

• Karnam Malleswari was the first women who won a medal in Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.
• In 2012, London Olympics, five times world champion Mary Kom won a medal in boxing and Saina
Nehwal in Badminton. Saina Nehwal has won 24 international titles, which includes ten Superseries
titles. In 2015 that she was able to attain the world no. 1 ranking, thereby becoming the only female
player from India to achieve this feat.
• In 2016 Rio Olympics Sakshi Malik won medal in wrestling and P.V. Sindhu won the first ever women’s
silver medal in badminton.
• P.T Usha and Anju Bobby George were athletes who earned a name in Athletics at international level.
• Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, an Indian weightlifter, lifted a total of 201 kg to win the Gold Medal at the
CWG 2022.
• Lovlina Borgohain is an Indian boxer who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in the
women’s welterweight event and the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Women’s 49 kg
category.
• Our Indian women cricket team, wrestling, badminton, boxing are bringing glory to the country as they
achieve new heights.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
(MENARCHE, & MENSTRUAL DYSFUCTION

• The menstrual cycle is complex and controlled by many

different glands and the hormones that these glands produce.
The four phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the
follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.

• Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs

as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Every month, your body
prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus
sheds its lining.

• The period of adolescence is marked by certain universal

physical and biological changes in the body which lead to the
attainment of sexual maturity. The time when sexual maturity
is reached is called puberty.

Normal menstrual cycle varies from 21 to 35 days (28 days approx).

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 MENARCHE
• Menarche is the first period or first menstrual bleeding that a young girl has. Menarche usually
occurs approximately at the age of 12; however, it can happen as early as during 8 or 9 years of age
or as late as during 16 years of age.

• Women's reproductive system is complex and sensitive to physiological stress. Such type of stress
is usually associated with conditions like delayed menarche, amenorrhoea, etc. These problems
are experienced by some women who are engaged in intensive sports activities However, women
with delayed menarche may succeed in sports such as gymnastics. Those women who have early
menarche have an advantage in sports such as swimming and rowing because they get more
adipose tissue or adequate weight.

ROWING

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION
• Menstrual dysfunction is a disorder or irregularity in
women's menstrual cycle.
• In other words, it can be defined as an 'abnormal
bleeding' during the menstrual cycle.

• The female hormones oestrogen and progesterone are

important for overall body health. These hormones also
regulate a woman’s periods. Intense exercise and
extreme thinness can reduce the levels of these
hormones to prevent or stop monthly menstrual cycles.

• PMs- Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide

variety of signs and symptoms, including mood swings,
anxiety, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and
depression. and may last from a few hours to few days.
Such symptoms may be reduced through moderate
exercise, taking a balanced diet, having a good sleep
and rest.

• PMDD- Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a more

serious form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION continued
• Amenorrhea- The absence of menstruation is called amenorrhea.
(a) Primary amenorrhea: Menstruation cycle does not begin at puberty.
(b) Secondary amenorrhea: It happens when menstruation is missed for three months or
more. This is the most common type of amenorrhea.

• Dysmenorrhea -The medical term for painful menstruation is dysmenorrhea.

• Polymenorrhea: Polymenorrhea is a term used to describe a menstrual cycle that is shorter

than 21 days.

• Oligomenorrhea: Oligomenorrhea is infrequent menstruation. More strictly, it is menstrual

periods occurring at intervals of greater than 35 days.

• Menorrhagia: Menorrhagia is characterized by heavy and long term or continuous

menstrual bleeding.

• Metrorrhagia: Metrorrhagia refers to missed, delayed or abnormal bleeding patterns or

irregular intervals
• Postmenopausal bleeding: Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding that occurs after one year
of menopause.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 MENSTRUATION
AND SPORTS PARTICIPATION
• Earlier, most of the people used to believe that participation in sports during menstruation could
be physiologically harmful.
• Recent studies conducted in this field show that there has been no basis or evidence of
dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) of any consequence as a result of intensive participation in
sports.
• In fact, there have been recent reports to indicate complete absence of menstruation in women
who usually get trained for long duration in running.
• Some studies indicate that sport participation is beneficial in relieving pain and preventing
dysmenorrhoea.
• Some studies also indicate that there is no specific effect on sports performance during all phases
of the menstrual cycle, because international records have been set in all the stages of menstrual
cycle.
• Research studies also show that women's strength decreases a few days prior to menstruation and
continues to remain at slightly lower level throughout the menstrual period

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD
(OSTEOPOROSIS, AMENORRHEA AND EATING DISORDERS)
• The “Female Athlete Triad” was described in the early 1990’s by the Women’s Task Force of the
American College of Sports Medicine. The Female Athlete Triad is a health concern for women and girls
in sports which involves three distinct and interrelated conditions:
• “FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD IS A SYNDROME IN WHICH OSTEOPOROSIS, AMENORRHOEA AND EATING
DISORDER ARE INCLUDED”
(a) Osteoporosis
(b) Amenorrhea
(c) Eating Disorder
A female athlete can have one, two, or all three parts of the triad.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 OSTEOPOROSIS

• Osteoporosis refers to decreased bone mineral density. A reduction in bone mass may cause
fracture. In fact, low oestrogen levels and poor nutrition, especially low calcium intake can lead to
osteoporosis.
1. Insufficient Calcium in the Diet: The main cause of osteoporosis is the insufficient intake of
calcium in the diet. In fact, 100 mg calcium should be included in daily diet by a woman athlete.
In addition to calcium, vitamin D should also be included because it is essential for absorbing
calcium in our body.
2. Amenorrhoea: Women suffering from amenorrhoea for more than six months are likely to face
osteoporosis because the secretion of the hormone called 'oestrogen' is decreased in this
condition. This hormone is necessary for the absorption of calcium in our body. If calcium is not
absorbed in our body, there will be less amount of calcium in our body which may lead to
osteoporosis.

3. Eating Disorders: Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia may also cause osteoporosis
because the calcium intake may be less or insufficient.

SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993

 AMENORRHOEA
• Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation
• Amenorrhoea is a menstrual disorder in women where girls of 18 years and above either never began
menstruating or there is an absence of menstruation for three months or more than that in women with
a history of normal menstrual cycle.
Types of Amenorrhoea
1. Primary Amenorrhoea: Primary amenorrhoea is characterised by delayed menarche which is the
onset of first period during puberty.
2. Secondary Amenorrhoea: A woman who has her natural menstrual cycle at specific time and then
stops menstruating for three months or more is said to have secondary amenorrhoea.
Factors which may enhance the chances of Amenorrhoea
• Hormonal Changes: Some hormonal changes such as change in the output of gonadotropic hormones may lead
to amenorrhoea. In fact, the gonadotropic hormone stimulates the growth of gonads and secretion of sex hormones.
This hormone actually plays a vital role in stimulating oestrogen release from ovaries. If it does not release
oestrogen, the menstrual cycle gets disrupted or stops in women causing amenorrhoea.
• Intensive Exercises: There are maximum chances of amenorrhoea in female athletes, especially in long distance
runners, swimmers and gymnasts. In fact, such athletes do intensive exercise or training which usually leads to
decrease in oestrogen which is mainly responsible to regulate the menstrual cycle in females. As a result, a woman's
periods may become irregular or stop. Intensive exercises may lead to primary amenorrhoea and secondary
amenorrhoea,
• Intake of Less Calories: If a woman athlete takes less number of calories in comparison to her requirement, she
may suffer from amenorrhoea. In fact, intake of insufficient calories can lead to decrease in oestrogen hormone
which helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. Consequently, menstrual cycle may become irregular or stop
altogether.
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T) [email protected] @natural_images160993
 EATING DISORDER
• Most of the girls with female athlete triad try to lose their body weight as a way to improve their
performance in the field of games and sports. In order to lose weight, they may practice unhealthy
weight-control methods, including restricted food intake, self-induced vomiting, consumption of
appetite suppressants and diet pills and use of laxatives. Many girls deny their eating disorders due to
embarrassment, shame, fear of losing control of their dieting regimen and a mistaken belief that
excessive weight loss enhances sports performance.
• Appetite suppressants are a type of weight-loss medication (diet pill). They affect the brain’s urge to
eat.
• Laxatives, purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements.
They are used to treat and prevent constipation.
• These eating disorders can be fatal. There are following types of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa

1. Anorexia Nervosa: In this eating disorder, the female athletes think only about food, dieting and body
weight all the time. They have distorted body structure. Other individuals usually feel them that they
are becoming thin but they do not believe this In front of the mirror they see themselves as obese.
2. Bulimia Nervosa: It is also an eating disorder in which a female athlete eats excessive amount of food
and then vomits it in order not to gain weight. In this disorder, an individual binges on food and feels a
loss of control. Then, to prevent weight gain, tries to vomit the food.
 FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD

• The illustration above depicts the female athlete triad spectrum. The black lines represent the
spectrums of each of the 3 components and the red and green triangles show both of the extremes.
The top green triangle represents a healthy athlete who has a good balance between energy intake and
expenditure. Because of this, they have a normal menstruation cycle and a bone mineral density that is
above average for the athlete’s age. The bottom left, red triangle represents an athlete who does not
have an appropriate balance between energy intake and expenditure, which may be the result of
restrictive dieting and/or clinical eating disorders.
(a) Low energy availability with or without eating disorder,
(b) Dysfunction of menstruation and
(c) Low bone density.
 Low Energy Availability with or Without Disordered Eating
• Disbalance of energy may occur due to eating disorder. The problem of female athlete triad originated
from not balancing energy intake and energy expenditure. Consequently, an athlete must have
knowledge of how to balance the energy intake.
• Eating disorder is known as gross disturbance in eating behaviour. Disordered eating has wide range of
harmful and often ineffective eating behaviours in the process of weight reduction.
• These includes calorie restriction to clinical disorders of Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Menstrual Dysfunction
• Menstrual irregularities is one of the components of Female Athlete Triad and it is a marker of quality
health in female athletes. Menstrual dysfunction is common in sportswomen and is often ignored. It is
important that young female athletes should be informed enough to understand the problem and must
know the management of the menstruation disorder. If the problem is managed in time, then it may
positively affect athletic performance. Ignored or untreated menstrual irregularities may have a
prolonged effect on bone mineralization and the treatment may last months and years. Studies show
that more than 15% females participating in Olympics may be suffering from amenorrhea.

Low Bone Mineral Density

• Low bone mineral density, previously termed osteoporosis, may be defined as a disease marked by
increased bone fragility, disturbance in bone structure including low bone mineral density (BMD) that
may result in fractures, pain, deformity, disability etc. Low BMD is generally caused by improper diet
and amenorrhoea. Due to low level of oestrogen and progesterone in female athletes, their bones
become weaker and lose minerals.
Guidelines for the age group of 1 to 4
years and 5 to 17 year of age
Guidelines for the age group of 18 to
64 years and +65 year of age
 For Any Query Feel Free To
Contact Me
SAKSHAM HAJELA (P.E.T)

[email protected]
@natural_images160993