Bone mineral health is critical topic in the general fitness of athletes, more so female athletes. In determining the bone mineral health, experts analyze the mineral density in bones. The bone mineral density is calculated by measuring the mineral content in one cubic centimeter of bone. The higher the bone mineral density, the healthier the bones of the involved individual are and better for an athlete. In this regard, female athletes ought to ensure that they have high bone mineral density so that they are able to able to compete effectively and put their bodies into the strenuous conditions that define athletic events (Chon, Jeon, & Kim, 2012). The current paper offers insight on the way bone mineral health can be improved and the way it compares to the female athlete triad.
Bone mineral density is the amount of minerals in one cubic centimeter of bone volume. It is important to note that bones are made up of minerals, specifically calcium and phosphorous, that aid in making them strong to support the skeletal system in the human body. A person, more so an athlete, who are bone mineral defects suffering from regular fractures and other bone-related complications, which makes their activities difficult to undertake. In contrast, a healthy person, with a normal bone mineral density can perform their athletic and other strenuous activities up to the maximum levels. Athletes with bone mineral density defects suffer other relative complications, an aspect that calls for an urgent resolution through dietary interventions and other approved medical solutions.
It is recommended that female athletes eat specific foods that are understood to improve the bone mineral health. Calcium and phosphorous are some of the minerals that help improve the health of bones in humans (Lim, Chai, Song, Seo, & Kim, 2015). People who lack enough levels of such minerals in their bodies stand a high risk of experiencing fractures while undertaking their daily activities (Ackerman & Misra, 2011). For female athletes, it is imperative that they have a steady supply of these minerals in the bodies. The best way to ensure that the body has a sufficient of these minerals is to ensure that the involved person consumes foods that are rich in those minerals (Hincapié & Cassidy, 2010). It is also important that female athletes consume recommended supplements that will enhance the bone mineral density in their bodies so that they are able to develop their bodies’ capability to compete effectively with a reduced risk of suffering from bone fractures.
The female athlete triad is a condition in which a female exhibits menstrual dysfunction, low levels of energy independent of eating disorders and decreased bone mineral density. It is a common condition among athletic women and it takes an interdisciplinary cooperation to treat its effects (Waldrop, 2005). As it is clear, the condition is far much more complex than the one of reduced bone mineral density. The female athlete triad condition is difficult to diagnose as it involves many different symptoms that demand many different experts to work together so that they can ascertain effectively and reliably that the involved individual could be suffering from the condition. The condition is one of the major threats to the development of female athlete careers as its risk apparently increases with the age of female athletes (Thein-Nissenbaum, 2013). However, it can be controlled by observing healthy lifestyles and ensuring that the involved individual observes a proper diet.
Bone mineral health is mainly a topic designed to investigate the health of bones in the bodies of female athletes. It is apparent that due to the biological make-up of female athletes, it is quite challenging to attain the bone mineral density without proper dietary intake. Apparently, the human skeleton, which is a network of bones that supports the body organs and enhances strengths and stability, requires that the bones are healthy at all times (Nichols, Rauh, Barrack, & Barkai, 2007). As mentioned earlier on, the health of bones can only be attained by ensuring that they have the recommended mineral composition as discussed in the early section of the current paper. In the upcoming section is a recommended approach and strategy should be used in enhancing the bone mineral health among female athletes.
The female athlete’s bones are in constant tear and wear given the strenuous conditions under which the athlete operates. As the female athlete exercises, and competes in athletic events, their bones are engaged and are bound to wear out under such instances. However, the body has an automatic response that sees the worn-out bones replenished and replaced by new ones. The process of replacing worn out bones is dependent on the bone mineral content. Clearly, high bone mineral content enhances the ability of replacing worn out bones while low bone mineral content reduces chances of developing new bones. Effectively, it becomes difficult for female athletes with low mineral content in their bones to take part, as they are prone to fractures. Such female athletes have weak bones and it is imperative that they avoid strenuous activities that could lead to the damage of the bones. In this regard, the coaches of female athletes need to work with experts to ensure that female athletes have the recommended levels of bone mineral content so that they can participate effectively.
The coaches for female athletes should be aware of the factors that can influence the low bone mineral content. For instance, hormones play an integral role in controlling the amount of minerals that make up the bone content (Alpert, 2009). Additionally, the foods that a person consumes also affects the composition of the bones as foods rich in calcium and phosphorous enhance the mineral composition of bones. The coaches should be keen in the way they monitor the female athletes so that their bone mineral health is maintained at the recommended levels. It is also important that the coaches work with experts to ensure that female athletes have the bone mineral density recommended for them to remain competitive in their specific athletic events.
Foods that are rich in calcium and phosphorous can help revert the problem of bone mineral density defects. For instance, a breakfast of calcium-fortified cereals, and milk has the ability to improve the health of bones. One is also advised to consider taking yoghurt, orange juice and whole milk frequently as they have the recommended levels of minerals to help strengthen and regulate the mineral density of bones. Canned sardines, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, canned salmons, turnip greens, cooked kales and raw broccoli all have the required levels of calcium to enable the resolution of the bone mineral density defects among various people.
References
Ackerman, K. & Misra, M. (2011). Bone Health and the Female Athlete Triad in Adolescent Athletes.The Physician And Sportsmedicine, 39(1), 131-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.3810/psm.2011.02.1871
Alpert, P. (2009). Bone Health: How to Maximize Bone Mineral Density. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 22(3), 207-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1084822309349020
Chon, M., Jeon, H., & Kim, M. (2012). Bone Mineral Density and Factors influencing Bone Mineral Density in College Women. Korean J Women Health Nurs, 18(3), 190. http://dx.doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2012.18.3.190
Hincapié, C. & Cassidy, J. (2010). Disordered Eating, Menstrual Disturbances, and Low Bone Mineral Density in Dancers: A Systematic Review. Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation,91(11), 1777-1789.e1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2010.07.230
Lim, S., Chai, J., Song, J., Seo, M., & Kim, H. (2015). Comparison of nutritional intake, body composition, bone mineral density, and isokinetic strength in collegiate female dancers. Journal Of Exercise Rehabilitation, 11(6), 356-362. http://dx.doi.org/10.12965/jer.150244
Nichols, J., Rauh, M., Barrack, M., & Barkai, H. (2007). Bone mineral density in female high school athletes: Interactions of menstrual function and type of mechanical loading. Bone, 41(3), 371-377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2007.05.003
Thein-Nissenbaum, J. (2013). Long term consequences of the female athlete triad. Maturitas, 75(2), 107-112. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.02.010
Waldrop, J. (2005). Early identification and interventions for female athlete triad. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 19(4), 213-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2005.02.008
