Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
Supporting the High Performance Pursuit as an Exercise Professional
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is highly prevalent in the athletic population. Although this is the case, most coaches, athletes and even medical professionals are completely unaware of the syndrome. The detrimental impact that low energy availability has on performance and the health of most body systems is highly preventable! With more awareness, improved screening processes and earlier intervention, we can stop the cycle and support our athletes to reach their full potential.
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Learning Outcomes
1. Aetiology of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
2. Risk Factors & Prevalence
3. Indicators of LEA/REDs
- Identify all physiological, psychological and performance impacts of REDs
- Be able to identify that the role of an Exercise Professional is multidimensional and can include:
1. Education & Awareness
2. Screening & Risk Stratefication
3. Management of Energy Expenditure
4. Rehabilitation of Injuries
5. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Understand the causative factors of REDs and which body systems it impacts
- Explore energy availability and understand why low energy availability leads to the symptoms of REDs
- Explore energy availability and understand why low energy availability leads to the symptoms of REDs
2. Risk Factors & Prevalence
- Understand the populations at greatest risk so that primary intervention can be targeted to these groups
- Be able to safely and effectively risk stratify clients to improve outcomes
- Be able to safely and effectively risk stratify clients to improve outcomes
3. Indicators of LEA/REDs
- Identify all physiological, psychological and performance impacts of REDs
4. The Role of the Exercise Professional
- Understand how an Exercise Professional is well placed in the community to reduce the risk of development of REDs and manage REDs if it is present in an individual- Be able to identify that the role of an Exercise Professional is multidimensional and can include:
1. Education & Awareness
2. Screening & Risk Stratefication
3. Management of Energy Expenditure
4. Rehabilitation of Injuries
5. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Meet the speaker
Elisha Bunch
Elisha is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with 8yrs clinical experience and a keen interest in educating the next generation of AEPs. After obtaining a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of QLD in 2014, Elisha began her career in a musculoskeletal clinic. It was there she discovered that treating women is very different to treating men and struggled to find ways to upskill in the area of Women’s Health. Her passion for Women’s Health led her to her next clinical role at Pear Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy, where she was privileged to work with an incredible team of women’s health practitioners. Whilst at Pear, she began working with the Women’s Health Collective and began phasing out of clinical work (for now) to become a Director at the WHC in 2023.
Elisha is passionate about teaching the next generation of AEPs that women need to be treated differently to men. She is driven to ensure that female specific health conditions become a permanent feature in the undergraduate syllabus and that all practitioners understand the unique physiological needs of women. Having two young daughters of her own, she hopes for a better future in the research and application of Women’s Health.
Patrick Jones - Course author