Korean J Sports Med.  2024 Dec;42(4):247-2533. 10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.4.247.

The Awareness of Sports Physicians about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

• Park SH
• Lee ES
• Kwon J
• Kim L
• Kim Y
• Kim TK
• Ahn N
• Yun YK
• Lee SJ
• Lee YS
• Lee HJ
• Jeon SH
• Yi TI

• KMID: 2561752
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2024.42.4.247

Abstract

Purpose
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is a syndrome of physiological and/or psychological functioning experienced by female and male athletes that is caused by exposure to problematic low energy availability. For the prevention and intervention of REDs, awareness of REDs among sports physicians is important, but it is largely unknown. This study aimed to survey the awareness and clinical treatment experience of REDs in sports physicians.
Methods
We conducted an online survey to assess awareness of the triad and REDs among sports physicians and members of The Korean Society of Sports Medicine.
Results
A total of 69 members (62.2% male, including sports physicians) to this survey. Most participants (84.1%) were aware of the triad compared to fewer with awareness regarding REDs (23.2%). People who knew about the difference between REDs and triad was 33.3%, which was lower than those who did not (66.6%). Only 10.1% of the study subjects had experience treating REDs patients, and the biggest difficulty in treating patients was a lack of information and education (50.7%). It appeared that the most information about REDs was obtained from academic conferences (59.4%).
Conclusion
This survey found relatively low awareness of REDs among physicians treating athletes and sports professionals. Considering the various negative effects of REDs on athlete health and performance, education and promotion are needed to increase awareness among sports physicians and sports professionals.

Keyword

Athletes; Relative energy deficiency in sport; Low energy availability; Sports physicians

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The awareness on health effect of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and clinical experience on REDs (n=69). (A) The awareness on health effect of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs; n=69). (B) Clinical experience for patients suspected of REDs. (C) Experience of treating the REDs patients. (D) Experence of treating the REDs patients.

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