Former GB Athletes Highlight Dangers of RED-S Due to Overtraining and Under-Fueling

Bobby Clay and Issy Morris, former athletes for Great Britain, developed a hazardous condition called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) as a result of overtraining and under-fueling their bodies. The two women's experiences shed light on the serious health consequences that can arise when female athletes push their bodies too hard without proper nutrition.

RED-S is characterized by impaired physiological functioning caused by relative energy deficiency. The condition can lead to a range of health issues including fertility problems, osteoporosis, and chronic fatigue. Clay and Morris both suffered from RED-S during their athletic careers, with Clay experiencing a stress fracture that ended her running career at age 19.

Why this matters: The stories of Clay and Morris emphasize the critical need for greater awareness and education about RED-S among female athletes and their coaches. Preventing RED-S requires a careful balance between training and proper fueling to support the intense physical demands placed on the body.

The issue of eating disorders and inadequate nutrition in sport extends beyond track and field. In the sport of climbing, Olympic gold medalist Janja Garnbret says eating disorders remain a "huge" problem among female climbers. "I think it's still a huge issue," Garnbret stated, noting that new policies introduced by the International Federation of Sport Climbing to address the issue have not yet led to visible changes.

Garnbret believes women climbers can be just as strong as men and would like the opportunity to compete on the same routes as her male counterparts. Her comments further highlight the need for sports organizations and governing bodies to prioritize the health and well-being of female athletes.

The experiences of Clay, Morris, and Garnbret serve as a wake-up call about the prevalence of RED-S and disordered eating in women's sports. Their stories stress the importance of education, prevention, and support for female athletes to help them maintain their health while pursuing their athletic goals. As Garnbret noted, "I think it's our responsibility to show that women can be strong, not just skinny."

Key Takeaways

• Former British athletes developed hazardous RED-S condition from overtraining, under-fueling.
• RED-S can lead to health issues like fertility problems, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue.
• Greater awareness and education on RED-S is critical for female athletes and coaches.
• Eating disorders remain a "huge" problem in women's sports like climbing.
• Female athletes should be empowered to be strong, not just "skinny", per Garnbret.