Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives
<p><b>1.1 Objective</b></p> <p>There is a high prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in weight- dependent athletes, potentially resulting in long-term health implications if not managed and treated correctly by healthcare professionals. The aim of th...
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2020
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| Subjects: |
| _version_ | 1797071577670483968 |
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| author | Gillbanks , LJ |
| author2 | Filbay, S |
| author_facet | Filbay, S Gillbanks , LJ |
| author_sort | Gillbanks , LJ |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | <p><b>1.1 Objective</b></p>
<p>There is a high prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in weight- dependent athletes, potentially resulting in long-term health implications if not managed and treated correctly by healthcare professionals. The aim of this research is to i) investigate the physical and psychosocial impact of RED-S, from the personal perspective of lightweight rowers in the UK and ii) investigate the knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers and physiotherapists working in lightweight rowing.</p>
<p><b>1.2 Methods</b></p>
<p>Twelve lightweight rowers and twelve physiotherapists were recruited for the semi- structured interviews. Eligibility criteria for lightweight rowers were: aged ≥18 years, had competed in lightweight rowing for ≥1 year, and experienced ≥1 symptom of RED-S (recurrent injuries including stress fractures, menstrual dysfunction, low energy during training, prioritising leanness, excessive fatigue, muscle loss, an inability to recover from sessions, a diagnosis of RED-S or Female Athlete Triad. To be eligible, physiotherapists had to be currently or previously registered to work in the UK and have worked with lightweight rowers for >1 year. All participants undertook audio-recorded semi-structured telephone interviews. Data was analysed using an inductive thematic approach, and coding was iterative and data-driven, facilitated by NVivo software.</p>
<p><b>1.3 Results</b></p>
<p>To address the first aim, twelve current and former lightweight rowers (67% female, 33% male, aged 19-32 years), who competed in lightweight rowing at an international level to elite level were interviewed. Participants restricted calories and increased energy expenditure to elicit weight-loss in order to pass weighing-in and compete as a lightweight rower. This resulted in psychosocial implications (reduced social interaction, difficulty maintaining relationships, poor emotional regulation, low mood, poor concentration, disordered eating, guilt and anxiety around food and a negative body image) many of which persisted after ceasing participation in lightweight rowing. Participants described a range of physical implications, including disrupted sleep, decreased performance and recovery, bowel disruption, menstrual dysfunction, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, injury and weakened immune systems.</p>
<p>To address the second aim, data from 12 lightweight rowers and 12 physiotherapists (50% male, and 50% female, aged 22-64 years, with 1-20 years of experience working in lightweight rowing) were utilised in this study. Five key themes were identified: insufficient knowledge of RED-S, inadequate RED-S education, inappropriate management of RED-S, referring responsibility to other health professionals, and prioritising performance over health. Participants provided suggestions for improving knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers, including formal physiotherapy education and training, and targeted education for athletes and coaches.</p>
<p><b>1.4 Conclusion</b></p>
<p>This study describes short and long term physical and psychosocial impacts of RED-S, from the personal perspective of lightweight rowers. This highlights the importance of screening, education and effective management strategies from healthcare professionals to reduce the negative health implications of RED-S in lightweight rowers. There was a significant lack of awareness of RED-S amongst physiotherapists and lightweight rowers. Most physiotherapists were not confident discussing or managing RED-S in athletes, and lightweight rowers were dissatisfied with the management they received. Improving RED- S education for physiotherapists may have significant and positive health implications for lightweight rowers in the UK.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T22:55:19Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oxford-uuid:602b0d15-599b-401b-9383-9f21efc5afd5 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T22:55:19Z |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:602b0d15-599b-401b-9383-9f21efc5afd52022-03-26T17:51:47ZRelative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectivesThesishttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdccuuid:602b0d15-599b-401b-9383-9f21efc5afd5Relative Energy Deficiency In SportPhysiotherapySports MedicineEnglishHyrax Deposit2020Gillbanks , LJFilbay, SArden, N<p><b>1.1 Objective</b></p> <p>There is a high prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in weight- dependent athletes, potentially resulting in long-term health implications if not managed and treated correctly by healthcare professionals. The aim of this research is to i) investigate the physical and psychosocial impact of RED-S, from the personal perspective of lightweight rowers in the UK and ii) investigate the knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers and physiotherapists working in lightweight rowing.</p> <p><b>1.2 Methods</b></p> <p>Twelve lightweight rowers and twelve physiotherapists were recruited for the semi- structured interviews. Eligibility criteria for lightweight rowers were: aged ≥18 years, had competed in lightweight rowing for ≥1 year, and experienced ≥1 symptom of RED-S (recurrent injuries including stress fractures, menstrual dysfunction, low energy during training, prioritising leanness, excessive fatigue, muscle loss, an inability to recover from sessions, a diagnosis of RED-S or Female Athlete Triad. To be eligible, physiotherapists had to be currently or previously registered to work in the UK and have worked with lightweight rowers for >1 year. All participants undertook audio-recorded semi-structured telephone interviews. Data was analysed using an inductive thematic approach, and coding was iterative and data-driven, facilitated by NVivo software.</p> <p><b>1.3 Results</b></p> <p>To address the first aim, twelve current and former lightweight rowers (67% female, 33% male, aged 19-32 years), who competed in lightweight rowing at an international level to elite level were interviewed. Participants restricted calories and increased energy expenditure to elicit weight-loss in order to pass weighing-in and compete as a lightweight rower. This resulted in psychosocial implications (reduced social interaction, difficulty maintaining relationships, poor emotional regulation, low mood, poor concentration, disordered eating, guilt and anxiety around food and a negative body image) many of which persisted after ceasing participation in lightweight rowing. Participants described a range of physical implications, including disrupted sleep, decreased performance and recovery, bowel disruption, menstrual dysfunction, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, injury and weakened immune systems.</p> <p>To address the second aim, data from 12 lightweight rowers and 12 physiotherapists (50% male, and 50% female, aged 22-64 years, with 1-20 years of experience working in lightweight rowing) were utilised in this study. Five key themes were identified: insufficient knowledge of RED-S, inadequate RED-S education, inappropriate management of RED-S, referring responsibility to other health professionals, and prioritising performance over health. Participants provided suggestions for improving knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers, including formal physiotherapy education and training, and targeted education for athletes and coaches.</p> <p><b>1.4 Conclusion</b></p> <p>This study describes short and long term physical and psychosocial impacts of RED-S, from the personal perspective of lightweight rowers. This highlights the importance of screening, education and effective management strategies from healthcare professionals to reduce the negative health implications of RED-S in lightweight rowers. There was a significant lack of awareness of RED-S amongst physiotherapists and lightweight rowers. Most physiotherapists were not confident discussing or managing RED-S in athletes, and lightweight rowers were dissatisfied with the management they received. Improving RED- S education for physiotherapists may have significant and positive health implications for lightweight rowers in the UK.</p> |
| spellingShingle | Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport Physiotherapy Sports Medicine Gillbanks , LJ Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title | Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title_full | Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title_short | Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowing: investigating athlete and physiotherapists’ perspectives |
| title_sort | relative energy deficiency in sport red s in lightweight rowing investigating athlete and physiotherapists perspectives |
| topic | Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport Physiotherapy Sports Medicine |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gillbankslj relativeenergydeficiencyinsportredsinlightweightrowinginvestigatingathleteandphysiotherapistsperspectives |