Relative Energy Deficiency in sports, better known as RED-S include a number of other symptoms beyond the Female Triad, and takes men into account. It is when an athlete doesn’t have enough energy intake relative to the amount of training they are undertaking, and it affects BOTH male and female athletes. Low Energy Availability (LEA) can be measured more obviously in women if their menstrual cycle is disrupted. However, MEN – get in tune with your body as it can happen to you.
LEA impacts all aspects of your health, including:
- Your metabolic rate.
- Bone health which increases the risk of stress fractures
- Hormone production in the reproductive system including oestrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men. Hormones are important for driving the adaptations to exercise, so any disruption of this system will reduce your performance and training ability.
- Hinder growth in younger athletes.
- Affect the immune function, heart health and mental health.
So can be detrimental to health and performance.