Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and identity in endurance athletes

What is it about?

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a syndrome of impaired health and performance due to low energy availability (LEA) relative to energy needs in physical activity. Although REDs has been studied from physiological and psychological perspectives, currently, there is little research from a sociological or socio-cultural perspective. The current study sought to address that gap, by investigating the embodied experiences of REDs, specifically in relation to sporting identity and identity work, from the perspective of 20 UK-based endurance athletes who self-identified as having experienced REDs. Twelve participants took part in semi-structured interviews designed to explore their experiences of REDs, and eight completed personal wellbeing diaries. Our findings cohere around three key elements in identity work, drawing on micro-sociological interactionist perspectives that highlight the importance of: materialistic, associative, and vocabularic forms of identification. The findings offer novel insights into what can be a highly distressing experience, corporeally and psychologically, by focusing on how identity-related issues can contribute to REDs.

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Photo by Morgan Sarkissian on Unsplash

Photo by Morgan Sarkissian on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) can generate very serious health and illness consequences. Although REDs has been studied from physiological and psychological perspectives, currently, there is very little research from a sociological or social perspective. The current study sought to address that gap, and investigate how athletes actually experience REDs. The findings provide original and important insights into what can be a highly distressing experience, corporeally and psychologically, by focusing on how identity-related issues can contribute to REDs.