Table 3:
Coach's responses to survey questions about the three components of the female athlete triad, reflecting specific knowledge, perceptions and skills used (n = 91).
| Survey Question | Survey Response | Percentage (%) of Response |
|---|---|---|
| DISORDERED EATING | ||
| “When coaching female athletes, have you noticed any disordered eating behaviors?” | Yes | 87.9 |
| No | 12.1 | |
| “Do you ask female athletes questions to try to expose any type of abnormal eating pattern?” | Yes, > 50% of the time | 38.5 |
| Yes, 25–49% of the time | 7.7 | |
| Yes, < 25% of the time | 35.2 | |
| No | 17.6 | |
| Missing | 1.0 | |
| “Are you comfortable discussing disordered eating with female athletes?” | Yes | 86.8 |
| No | 13.2 | |
| “Do you think emotions affect how a female athlete may eat or exercise?” | Yes | 99.0 |
| I don't know | 1.0 | |
| “Do you assess or have body fat assessed on your athletes?” | Yes | 27.5 |
| No | 57.1 | |
| Sometimes | 15.4 | |
| MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION | ||
| “Do you believe that irregular menstruation or absent menstruation is a normal consequence of exercise in female athletes?” | Yes | 24.2 |
| No | 71.4 | |
| Not sure | 3.3 | |
| Do not know | 1.1 | |
| “Do you ask your female athletes about their menstrual cycle?” | Yes, 100% of the time | 8.8 |
| Yes, @ 50–99% of the time | 17.6 | |
| Yes, @ 25–49% of the time | 8.6 | |
| Yes, < 25% of the time | 28.6 | |
| No, never | 36.3 | |
| “Do you assess menstrual history in your female athletes if you are suspicious of irregular menstruation?” | Yes, 100% of the time | 34.5 |
| Yes, @ 50–99% of the time | 13.8 | |
| Yes, @ 25–49% of the time | 5.2 | |
| Yes, < 25% of the time | 24.1 | |
| No, never 100% of time | 22.4 | |
| “Are you comfortable discussing menstrual irregularity with female athletes?” | Yes | 81.3 |
| No | 18.7 | |
| “A loss or irregularity of the menstrual cycle may result in the following (mark all that apply):”* | Improved bone growth | 1.0 |
| Improved athletic performance | 8.0 | |
| Hot flashes | 11.0 | |
| Stress fractures | 69.3 | |
| Do not know | 28.4 | |
| OSTEOPOROSIS | ||
| “What is the suggested intake of calcium for females, ages 11–24 years according to the NIH?” | 401–800 mg | 8.8 |
| 801–1200mg | 13.2 | |
| 1201–1500 mg | 15.4 | |
| Not sure | 28.6 | |
| Do not know | 34.1 | |
| “Please indicate the age range in which peak bone mineral density in women is reached.” | 11–14 years | 3.3 |
| 15–18 years | 26.4 | |
| 19–22 years | 33.0 | |
| Not sure | 20.9 | |
| Do not know | 16.5 | |
| “How often have you encountered or treated a female athlete with a stress fracture?” | Never | 11.0 |
| 1–5 times | 52.7 | |
| 6–10 times | 19.8 | |
| 11 or more times | 16.5 | |
| “Do you believe that bone mineral density needs to be measured in female athletes when they have abnormal or absent menstruation?” | Yes | 72.5 |
| No | 0.0 | |
| Not sure | 27.5 | |
| “Indicate when it might be appropriate for women to be screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis if they had a history of the female athlete triad in high school?” | Immediately when diagnosed | 52.7 |
| Within 1 year | 11.0 | |
| Not sure | 18.7 | |
| Do not know | 17.6 | |
| Never | 0.0 | |
*
Percent values represent those responding “yes” to each of the answers provided.