Are you in the RED (Relative Energy Deficiency) ?

REDs is a syndrome where you under fuel your biological systems and this comprise causes adverse effects on many systems in the body, having both physical and mental health implications.

We have to often seen patients of all ages ‘over training’ or better put increasing their physical activity and then suffering injuries that don't seem to heal. As well as athletes poorly performing.

Is REDs a factor?

At Turra Physio when reviewing patients we look at the person levels of activities which include not only what exercise they do but family life, jobs and all additional activities that will require energy to be exerted. If we think that the patient is under or incorrectly fuelling and have increased activity without changing their dietary habits thus compromising their biological systems we will address this in clinic and/or refer to a specialist when we see the need.

It is essential to fuel your body systems correctly but especially for young aspiring athletes and dancers where behaviours around eating and exercise are being developed and established.

The underlying aetiology of REDs is low energy availability.

Low energy availability is a situation where, once energy demand from movement has been met, the residual energy available is insufficient to support the functioning of other biological life process.

Low energy availability could arise unintentionally or intentionally.

Unintentionally could be the system is not being given enough fuel due to underestimation of the demand of daily activities and then additional recreations fitness. One other unintentional way REDs can occur is what type of fuel is being put into the system and when.

Intentionally could can be the person is trying to lose weight and reducing fuel intake while increasing exercise without considering the actual requirements of the body.

If a person is getting low energy levels delivered the first system to adapt is bone: bone turnover moves in favour of resorption over formation. This is why bone density is first affected and bone stress responses, specifically bone stress fractures, can be an early warning sign of REDs.

There will follow sequential down regulation of metabolic rate mediated via the thyroid axis, followed by the reproductive axis.

In women primary amenorrhoea or sustained functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is a primary indicator of REDs.

In men, low testosterone is a primary indicator.

Ultimately body composition will be adversely affected in both groups.

Sleep will be poor quality and disturbed.

Mood will be adversely affected.

The endocrine system is also affected by up regulated being the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. That system regulates hormone levels and is essential for the body's stress response. It regulation is vital for homeostasis, energy metabolism, and neuropsychiatric function.

All of this adds up to poor performance, weight management issues, mental wellness decline, goals not achieved and injuries more easily acquired and not recovered from.

The team at Turra Physio have a significant background in improving sporting and exercise performance. We have worked extensively and to the highest levels in the field of sports and exercise related injuries and recognise the vital importance that healthy diets play in those areas of performance and rehabilitation.

Health is a prerequisite for performance not a by product of it.

You can be assured that all aspects of the causes of your pains and injuries will be considered and if you are among the many clients attending to improve performance this crucial part of your journey will not just be discussed but will become a central part of that improvement process.