Prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in combat sports and dance
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal tracking of dancers and combat sport athletes to ascertain the prevalence of the Relative Energy Deficiency (RED) and efficacy of treatment: a prospective interdisciplinary study
IRAS ID
343066
Contact name
Matthew A Wyon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Wolverhampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Research summary
Sport and dance are generic terms that encompass a wide variety of movement forms and is carried out by a wide variety of people of all shapes and sizes. In a few sports and dance genres, some participants might be more prone to a negative health effect referred to as relative energy deficit syndrome (REDs). This is an energy deficiency relative to the balance between dietary energy intake and energy availability required to support homeostasis, health and activities of daily living, growth and sporting activities that can result in multiple systems being affected including decreases in bone health, energy metabolism, reproductive function, musculoskeletal health, immunity, glycogen synthesis and cardiovascular and haematological health. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of REDs in specific sports (combat sports) and dance genres (ballet). Voluntary participants will be tested three times a year over a 1-3 year period. This will include an annual dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and blood tests plus resting energy expenditure and questionnaires three times a year. Participants' injury incidence and aetiology will be monitored by their club's/company's medical teams and summarised data provided to the research team via a signed medical release agreement.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0249
Date of REC Opinion
15 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion