Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, formerly known as the Female Athlete Triad, is now known to affect male as well as female athletes. It is important to know that signs and symptoms as well as the risks associated with it. 

This most often occurs in cases of insufficient fueling. If you are an athlete-we’re looking at you dancer!-and you are not giving your body the fuel it needs to perform at the levels you are asking of it, you are putting yourself at risk.

RED-S results in loss of menses and disruption of hormone production. Hormones manage loads of very important bodily functions from growth and development to metabolism, mood and general homeostasis via blood pressure, blood sugar levels, electrolyte balance.

RED-S can lead to …

• Early onset osteoporosis (as early as teens and twenties)

• Increased difficulty with muscle recovery and repair

• Increased difficulty or inability to build muscle

• Increased fatigue and decreased performance

• Overall increased risk of injury, especially stress fracture

If you haven’t already, please check out our other blogs on fueling and injury prevention (there's also one specifically for teens). 

We want you to succeed and show the world what a bada$$ dancer you are, and we know you need to be healthy to do so! We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health for peak performance! Please reach out if you have questions or need guidance around this issue! Just send us an email at cristina@drcristinajdpt.com