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Latest Research
Research Details
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| Research Title: |
Stress fractures of the femoral shaft in women’s college lacrosse: a report of seven cases and a review of the literature. |
| Type of Research: |
Publication Articles |
| Category: |
Preventative Techniques
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| Keywords: |
Stress fracture, Femur, Women, Female, Lacrosse, Female Triad, Risk factors
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| Author(s): |
L Kang, D Belcher, M J Hulstyn |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
03 April 2006 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
Stress fractures are recognised as overuse injuries with an estimated 7-10% occurring in the femur. Fractures of the shaft of the femur are thought to be relatively uncommon, however a few studies have suggested otherwise. Female athletes are more susceptible to stress fractures due to a combination of risk factors such as overtraining, disordered eating, hormone imbalance and decreased bone density. Historically, stress fractures in women are most common in sports where there is an emphasis on weight restriction, body image or aesthetics such as gymnastics, ballet dancing, figure skating or marathon running.
Seven female lacrosse players with a femoral shaft fracture and who were aged between 19-23 years were retrospectively studied. All the women trained at the same institution under the supervision of the same group of coaches and trainers. Information on the training schedule, characteristics of the running surface, and quality of shoe wear was obtained from coaches and trainers. Information about athletes was collected through routine physical examination, a fulcrum test, radiographs and MRI.
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| Research Objectives: |
To review seven cases of femoral shaft stress fracture in women in relation to clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome, and to review relevant literature.
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| Research Outcomes: |
The only risk factor common to all athletes was the change in running surface from indoor track to frozen outdoor field during the first six weeks of the official season. Of the seven women participating in the study, one admitted to both an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa) and abnormal menses. Another participant reported exercise induced oligomenorrhoea.
The exact mechanism responsible for initiating stress fractures is unclear as it seems to be multifactorial at the histological level. This aspect of stress fractures is paralleled by the considerable variability in the intensity and frequency of preseason and in-season training among the seven athletes participating in this study. It is known that the training environment for these women was short and intense and placed them at greater risk of fracture.
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| Research Implications: |
Athletes should be aware of sudden or rapid changes in their normal training regime, including training schedule, body mass or weight, running surface, or the like. Also, coaches, trainers and athletes need to prepare for the transition from the aerobic demands of distance running to the more anaerobic requirements of explosive footwork, such as sprinting and backpeddling, which involve a frequent change in direction and speed.
An important conclusion from the literature review is that poor nutrition, altered hormones, abnormal menstrual cycles, and disordered eating are potential problems in any female sport and these conditions are often undiagnosed.
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| Availability of Full Research Paper: |
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