Hey everyone I hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather front we are having at then moment. April is always a fun month with me as I get to work with a great team looking after the GB Athletes competing at the London Marathon. I got to thank the lovely Paula Radcliffe who kindly donated a signed top for Charlie during here fundraiser for children with cancer last year and got the meet the GOAT himself Eliud Kipchoge.
One the the big take homes I learnt from my time away was a condition that doesn’t have much awareness but with the explosion Hyrox, HIT training and bootcamps that require a high energy expenditure I wanted you guys to learn about it and see if you can spot any signs in yourself that may lead you to having this condition.
Supporting performance and recovery at MCPP Osteopath
At MCPP Osteopath, we see a wide range of athletes — from competitive runners to busy gym-goers — all striving to perform at their best. But when your body doesn’t get the fuel it needs to match your output, it can lead to something many people haven’t heard of: RED-S, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.
RED-S can impact health, performance, and long-term well-being. The good news? With the right support, it’s both manageable and preventable.
What Is RED-S?
RED-S occurs when your energy intake (food) is too low to support your training and your body’s basic functions.
This can be intentional (such as dieting or trying to lose weight) or unintentional (like training harder without increasing food intake). Over time, this energy gap affects multiple body systems — from hormones and bone health to immunity and mood.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
RED-S can affect your body, mind, and performance. At MCPP Osteopath, we look out for signs such as:
Physical Symptoms:
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Injuries that take a long time to heal (especially stress fractures)
- Irregular or missing periods in women
- Reduced libido or low testosterone in men
- Frequent colds or illness
Mental Signs:
- Anxiety, irritability, or low mood
- Obsessive focus on food or exercise
- Trouble concentrating
Performance Issues:
- Slowed progress or performance decline
- Loss of strength or endurance
- Difficulty recovering between sessions
Who’s at Risk?
RED-S can affect any athlete, in any sport, at any level — and in any body type.
You may be more at risk if you:
- Train intensely but under-fuel
- Skip meals or follow restrictive diets
- Participate in sports that emphasize weight or leanness
- Experience frequent injury, illness, or irregular cycles
And remember: you don’t need to look underweight to be under-fueled.
How We Can Help at MCPP Osteopath
At MCPP Osteopath, we don’t just treat the symptoms — we work to understand the bigger picture.
When RED-S may be a factor, we offer:
- In-depth assessments to identify patterns of low energy availability
- Manual therapy for injury support and pain management
- Advice on training load, recovery, and lifestyle balance
- Collaboration with GPs, nutritionists, or coaches when needed
Our goal is to help you perform better, feel stronger, and stay injury-free — with your long-term health in mind.
What You Can Do
If something feels off in your training or recovery, listen to your body.
Here are a few steps you can take:
- Keep track of your energy levels, injury history, and menstrual health (if applicable)
- Reflect on your food intake versus your training demands
- Reach out for a professional assessment
Let’s Talk – Book an Appointment Today
At MCPP Osteopath, we’re here to support your performance and recovery the right way.
📞 Contact Mario directly on 07518 056355
📍 Or visit our clinic to chat more about how we can help
Whether you’re returning from injury, feeling burnt out, or just not performing your best — we’ll help you get back on track with personalised, whole-body care.
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