These women generally value a slim appearance, and while they may think they eat enough, their energy output often exceeds their caloric intake. When that happens the body goes into a survival mode, shutting off non-essential functions, such as hormone production and menstruation. That, in turn, affects the development of bones. She discussed the syndrome July 10 with coaches and trainers who attend the Sports Performance Enhancement Workshop held by the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory at Duke. Prevention through public awareness that helps young women understand their health risks is the only cure, she said.
Sports medicine is a dynamic field, with treatments that are constantly refined.
For example, not long ago a gymnast with a particular back injury would be put in a back brace for six months. Then, clinicians found only 6-8 weeks in a brace could be sufficient and now they know a similar period of rest with physical therapy without a brace may be adequate. To become even more effective, the field needs to develop practice guidelines, which are accepted, data-driven treatment procedures, and make them available to every family doctor, she said. American children seem to fall into two extremes, she said. There are children who watch as much as five hours of television a day and who are at risk for obesity.