Coach Education around Eating disorders and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Athletics Ireland are working on strategies to reduce the incidence of REDs and eating disorders in the sport. A key component of this will be coach education. In the coming months we are looking to offer a series of workshops to coaches to support them in this area. To maximise the value of those workshop, we are seeking feedback from coaches on their knowledge and experience of REDs and Eating disorders, so we are asking coaches to complete the following survey: Click here .
Background
For a variety of complex reasons, children, youth and adults who participate and compete in sport may develop an eating disorder or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). In simple terms, RED-S affects energy availability in athletes which, in turn, impacts their health and performance in a number of ways. Some of the nutrition ideas that have been absorbed into the mainstream consciousness, through social media and wider concerns over obesity, are not suitable for athletes and have added to the challenge. This problem is not unique to Ireland (AAI), or athletics, but it is a challenge that AAI is committed to addressing. Over the past twelve months, Athletics Ireland has worked with the Nutrition team at Sport Institute Ireland, SII, to deliver athlete education and screening.
Screening
The screening of 100 Irish athletes identified as being strong contenders for the European Cross Championship 2020 teams found that 44% of females screened were deemed to be at risk, and 38% of the males. So despite efforts this remains a significant problem, and it is almost certain that coaches will come across athletes that have an issue with REDs, or eating disorders.
Athlete Education
To help with athlete education some of the endurance project athletes have helped with the development of a series of infographics on this topic. These are now available to share widely with athletes:
- REDs
- Balancing training and recovery
- Refuelling
- Signs of under fuelling
- Key Nutrients for bone health
Athlete and coaches may also find it useful to view the video of the workshop given to the regional under 20 endurance performance squads in April 2020. Click here
If athletes decide that they would benefit from support from a Sports Nutritionist they should check out the links to recognised professionals in the field:Click here
Coach Education
The key to reducing this problem is prevent and early intervention. Coaches can have a key role in this so we are looking to support coaches in this area by providing a series of workshops this Autumn and Winter. We will do this through partnership with Sports Ireland and Bodywhys-The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland. The workshops will be led by SII Nutrition team. The workshops are likely to be delivered online but to maximize their impact we want the input of coaches to influence the content and delivery of the courses so we are asking any coaches that would be interested in the workshop to complete the survey here.