20/02/2025
🏃♀️✨ As physiotherapists, we know that the body is a finely tuned machine, but when stress and fuel are not in balance, it can lead to serious issues, especially for female athletes. One of the most important things we need to address is RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) – a condition that can impact an athlete’s performance, recovery, and overall health.
RED-S often goes unnoticed, but it’s crucial to recognize the signs early: fatigue, decreased performance, irregular periods, and injuries that just won’t heal. Physiotherapists play a vital role in identifying these red flags and providing holistic treatment to support recovery.
📚 My sister gifted me this book and it really resonated with me, both professionally as a physiotherapist, and personally, as I reflected back on my own (amateur!) relationship with athletics and sport. In Running in a Man’s World, Lauren Fleshman beautifully highlights how women face unique challenges in sport and the importance of listening to our bodies. As athletes, we need to prioritize recovery, nutrition, and mental well-being just as much as training. As physiotherapists, we have a responsibility to help guide athletes through recovery, while coaches and parents can offer support in creating an environment where fueling and rest are prioritized alongside training.
Let’s break the stigma and support each other in understanding and addressing RED-S, so we can perform at our best, both physically and mentally. 💪🌟
-S
