Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
RED-S is when you don't have enough energy to be active - it is series, but you can get better.
What is RED-S?
RED-S happens when you use up more calories than you take in. It means you have ‘low energy availability’ – you’re not eating enough food to get the energy needed to do everything you’re doing.
This can happen if you eat less on purpose, but it can also happen by accident and isn’t always about how you look.
What are the symptoms?
You might lose weight, feel tired often, miss periods, keep getting colds or infections, feel weak or sore in your bones, have an upset stomach and feel moody. It can also make it harder to do well at sport.
Who’s most at risk?
You’re more at risk if you do sports where being thin or light is important, like endurance events or gymnastics.
If you’re a teenager who is still growing and needs more energy, you’re especially vulnerable.
Many women and girls have at least one symptom – up to 80% of elite young female athletes and 60% of high school female athletes. In fact, RED-S used to be called ‘female athlete triad’, for disordered eating, menstrual disturbance, and low bone density. Then it changed to RED-S because it also affects men and broader health areas.
What can it lead to?
Over a longer time, RED-S can reduce your muscle strength, endurance, concentration, coordination and judgement. You may feel irritable or develop depression. You’re also more likely to get hurt because your body takes longer to recover after exercise.
Down the track there’s a risk of fertility problems, bone weakness or osteoporosis. Severe RED-S can also affect the heart.
You can get better
RED-S often goes undiagnosed because symptoms vary from person-to-person and not a lot of people know about it. But it is a serious condition that can affect your sporting performance and overall health and wellbeing.
The good news is that most health problems caused by RED-S can get better if you spot it early. So, if you think you may have RED-S, it’s important to speak with your doctor.
Further reading:
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Adolescents – A Practical Review, opens in a new tab
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), opens in a new tab
RED-S: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, opens in a new tab