Empower your
Performance
Many active individuals suffer from fatigue and suboptimal adaptation to training. The specific needs of active individuals can be elusive. Symptoms can be vague and non-specific requiring attention to detail on training needs, fueling practices, and intentional recovery.
Energy availability is a factor that plays an important role in wellness.
Keep reading for more info on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
WHAT IS REDs?
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is a condition that can occur in active individuals of any age and any level of sport. Some evidence indicates it is MORE prevalent in community-level athletes than in those competing at the highest levels.
REDs occurs when athletes have inadequate fuel to meet their energy demands. This results in low energy availability, especially after participating in demanding competition or practice/training. As an athlete, you require a balance of nutrition and recovery to replenish your energy stores effectively. This in turn provides the energy to enjoy healthy, effective training.
Many athletes tend to train hard and fail to take in adequate energy to meet their needs. As a result, they develop low energy availability, making it challenging to achieve the desired performance level. Their overall health suffers, impacting their performance.
HOW REDs IMPACTS THE BODY
When steps are not taken to prevent or treat REDs it leads to system impairment throughout your whole body.
This includes:
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Missed/irregular menstrual periods
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Low libido
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"Hormonal imbalance"
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Compromised bone health including risk for osteopenia and/or bony stress injuries.
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Compromised growth
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Impaired immunity leading to an increasing risk of infections, colds, flu, etc.
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Slowed metabolism so food is converted into energy slowly
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Gastrointestinal symptoms
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Low heart rate leading to dizziness
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Compromised psychological health including moodiness, depression, irritability, and difficulties with concentration
Through a “whole athlete” approach to care, you can develop effective recovery habits to avoid low energy availability. You can also focus your efforts on prevention to avoid issues associated with REDs. Our clinicians diagnose REDs and also recognize and address risk factors and deficits to help you set yourself on the path to well-being.
GET STARTED WITH OUR COMPREHENSIVE ATHLETE HEALTH OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM
THE
ATHLETE
WELLNESS
INITIATIVE
A COMPREHENSIVE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ATHLETE HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
FOOTBRIDGE CENTRE FOR
INTEGRATED ORTHOPAEDIC CARE
Virtual Multidisciplinary Clinic
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Primary Care Sport & Exercise Medicine
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Personalized Health Care
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REDs Treatment and Prevention
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Mid-Life Health Optimization
Contact below for an Initial Consultation
778 945 6756
221 – 181 KEEFER PLACE
VANCOUVER
www.footbridgeclinic.com
Low energy availability is often overlooked when athletes present with symptoms. We can recognize risk factors for REDs and assist with the optimal care decisions to help you safely train and participate in sports. We consider both your physical and mental health and identify opportunities to help you achieve and sustain whole body health through The Athlete Wellness Initiative.
Virtual Consultations
If you are unable to meet with our team members in person, we are happy to provide virtual consultations. We believe in offering completely accessible services personalized for your specific needs to ensure we see the best possible outcomes. This also allows patients to benefit from The Athlete Wellness Initiative from any location.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team ensures rapid recognition of risk factors for compromised metabolic health such as RED-S and introduces early intervention lifestyle management plans using a comprehensive wide-lens approach. This allows us to address current concerns from multiple disciplines, and when possible, identify potential susceptibilities to prevent future issues.
A multidisciplinary approach is at the heart of our success ensuring timely and consistent communication between team members to enhance care and management greatly. Our RED-S/hormone imbalance-focused services are performed by leading specialists in their area of expertise including:
DR SARA FORSYTH BSc, MSc, MD
Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician
As Founder of The Athlete Wellness Initiative, Dr. Forsyth uses a multidisciplinary team approach to sport and exercise medicine through her network of expert clinicians to enhance care and improve outcomes for her patients. A Personalized Medicine lens is applied to optimize all aspects of care.
ANNE MUSCAT
Founder and CEO of Mynd Matters Consulting
https://myndmatters.net/
Anne provides a comprehensive approach integrating biofeedback training with innovative Neurofeedback and Heart Rate Variability programs.
CRISTINA SUTTER
MHSc., RD
Registered Dietitian
https://www.elitedietitians.com/
Cristina pinpoints exactly which eating habits are sabotaging your health and performance and recommends the changes required to get the results you want.
KENDRA POMFRET
Registered Clinical Counsellor
https://www.stridescounselling.com/
Drawing from a number of therapeutic modalities, Kendra offers counseling focused on empowering athletes to create changes that better align with their goals and preferred outcomes.
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