A new study of almost 7,000 girls between nine and 15 years old by Children’s Hospital Boston found that girls and young women who got lots of vitamin D through their diet and supplements were half as likely to suffer a stress fracture as those who didn’t get much of the vitamin.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, stress fractures are an overuse injury. They occur when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.
Studies have shown that athletes participating in tennis, track and field, gymnastics, and basketball are very susceptible to stress fractures. In all of these sports, the repetitive stress of the foot striking the ground can cause trauma. Without sufficient rest between workouts or competitions, an athlete is at risk for developing a stress fracture.
These fractures can be concerning in teenage girls as bone strength at that age is tied to the risk of osteoporosis and more serious injuries later in life.
