Risk Assessment of Female Athlete Triad in Beninese Para-Athletes

Oscar DagbEmabou Aze, Etienne Ojardias, Florentine Donhouede Kouglo, Marc Charbel Gnonhossou, Joachim Ahlonsou, Grace Ntsame Ndong, Barnabe Akplogan

Female Athlete Triad, Para-athletics, Menstrual Dysfunction, Benin

Objective: This study evaluated the risks of disorders related to the Female Athlete Triad among female para-athletes in Benin.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 25 participants enrolled in para-sport clubs. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) was used to assess Triad-related disorders, and the SCOFF-Q was used to analyze disordered eating behaviors.

Results: 40% of participants from the Lions Handisport club and 66.67% from the Warriors club had not menstruated for the preceding 2 to 3 months. Within the clubs, significant proportions of para-athletes admitted to a loss of control over their eating, with rates reaching 66.67% in the Warriors club. Furthermore, 50% of participants from the Buffle club reported self-induced vomiting. The data also showed varying levels of injury-related absences, with participants from the Buffle club being the most affected.

Conclusion: Disorders related to the Female Athlete Triad are a significant concern among female para-athletes in Benin.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.21.3.3