Effect of Soy Phytoestrogens and Acupuncture on Bone Mineral Density in Female Athlete Triad at Adolescence Age

Many female athletes don't depend only on physical training and exercising to obtain the ideal slim and thin body. So that they follow harmful unhealthy diet to achieve the ideal body shape they are seeking. These types of diet can lead to malnutrition, menstrual disturbances, and bone loss, and these three components form a triad called female athlete triad. A limited number of studies have examined the effect of acupuncture and soy products on irregularities related to female athletes so the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of both acupuncture in line with diet modification using soy products on osteopenia in female athlete triad. Study Design: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, pre-post-test, controlled trial.

Sixty female athletes with ages ranged from 14 to 18 years, playing gymnastics and all diagnosed and referred with female athlete triad resulting in decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis. All participants will be treated with soy products and acupuncture and will be closely followed for six months. DEXA will be used to assess bone mineral density before and after the treatment program.

Inclusion criteria

All girls diagnosed with female athlete triad resulting in osteopenia

• Their age between 14-18 years old
• Their body mass index is less than 5 percent according to the gross motor chart
• All participants are gymnastics players
• All are medically stable
• They will be able to follow instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Marriage
• Pregnancy
• Taking any hormonal treatment
• Receiving any other form of traditional physical therapy modalities