title: Risk factors for stress fractures in female track-and-field athletes: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: The incidence and nature of stress fractures and the relationship of potential risk factors to stress-fracture history were investigated retrospectively in a group of 53 female competitive track-and-field athletes. Forty-five stress fractures, diagnosed by clinical findings and bone scan, radiograph, or CT scan, were reported in 22 women. Tibial fractures were the most common (33%). There was no significant difference in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and tibia/fibula or in percentage body fat and total lean mass when comparing the groups with and without a stress-fracture history. Athletes with a past stress fracture were significantly older at menarche and were more likely to have experienced a history of menstrual disturbance (p < 0.05). Analysis of dietary behavior found that athletes with stress fractures scored significantly higher on the EAT-40 test and were more likely to engage in restrictive eating patterns and dieting. Multiple logistic regression showed that athletes with a history of oligomenorrhea were six times more likely to have sustained a stress fracture in the past, while those who were careful about their weight were eight times more likely. Prevention and treatment of stress fractures in female athletes should include a thorough assessment of menstrual characteristics and dietary patterns.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000737:chemistry; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000737:chemistry; D008572:Menarche; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000150:complications; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000150:complications; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013977:Tibia / Q000737:chemistry; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014142:Track and Field / Q000293:injuries*