Student-Athlete Appreciates Skills Learned While Participating in the GWU Honors Program

Kylie Ameres, ’20, Studies Medical Condition Observed in Female Athletes

A senior in the Gardner-Webb University Honors Program, Kylie Ameres, ’20, recently presented her thesis on “The Prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad.” This year, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Honors Students made their presentations during a Zoom teleconference.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines the Female Athlete Triad as a medical condition observed in physically active females involving three components: 1) low energy availability with or without disordered eating, 2) menstrual dysfunction, and 3) low bone density.

Ameres, of Palmetto, Fla., is an exercise science major with a concentration in health sciences and a member of the GWU Women’s Soccer Team. In the fall, she will begin a graduate program at GWU and play soccer for the fifth year. She also plans to apply to Physician Assistant programs for the 2021 spring cohort.

Q: Why did you choose your research topic and how do you feel about what you learned?

Ameres: Based on my personal experiences of being a soccer player at a Division I (DI) program, I felt like there was/is a higher prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad in DI athletes than previously speculated. Also, another reason I chose this topic was because I wanted to raise awareness for the Female Athlete Triad and encourage more research to be done in regards to proposing a standardized way to screen for the Triad. While researching, I learned that there is not much information regarding the exact prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad because of the lack of knowledge by physicians and athletic trainers surrounding the Triad as a whole.

Q: What valuable lessons did you learn from doing your research?

Ameres: One valuable lesson I learned was the importance of being passionate about what you are working on. Writing a thesis takes a lot of time, dedication and research that can become exhausting. However, by being passionate about what you are researching and writing about, it becomes a lot easier to be motivated and dedicated to persevere through the research.

Q: How has the GWU Honors Program enhanced your GWU experience?

Ameres: The Honors Program pushed me to go above and beyond what is expected of me. It has instilled a level of professionalism and leadership qualities in me that will prove to be helpful in the transition to life after college. The Honors Program supplied me with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I would like to thank Dr. Tom Jones for making the Honors Program accessible to student-athletes and our crazy schedules. Although it was arduous at times, being an athlete in the Honors Program was very rewarding and will help me in my future endeavors.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.