During our first-ever REDs Awareness Week at The Royal Ballet School, we are shining a spotlight on the significant physical and mental impact of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
Through the insights and experiences of Jessica Clarke, our Artistic Manager and Christian Utzinger, our Psychologist, we’re highlighting how REDs affects performance, body image, and mental health, and the crucial steps taken to prevent and manage this condition at our school.
What is REDs?
REDs occurs when there is an imbalance between energy intake and the body’s energy needs. Much like a car needs fuel to function, the human body requires energy to support essential physiological processes, such as breathing, cognition, and circulation. For dancers, who are highly active and often under intense physical demands, insufficient energy can lead to this syndrome, affecting multiple systems in the body—from bone health to hormonal balance.
The physical and mental toll of REDs
The consequences of REDs are both physical and psychological. Physically, REDs can lead to reduced bone density, impaired coordination, and a decreased response to training, which significantly impacts a dancer’s ability to perform. Without the proper balance of nutrition and energy, dancers may experience frequent injuries, delayed recovery, and a decline in overall performance.
As educators and teachers, our Artistic and Healthcare staff understand their vital role in fostering a healthy culture based on a sustainable long-term approach to ballet training. It’s essential for every dance teacher, healthcare professional or coach to be aware of the signs and symptoms of REDs. Understanding these indicators can help athletes identify concerns early and encourage open conversations about nutrition, body image, rest and recovery.
Jessica Clarke, Artistic Manager of the Vocational and Pre-professional Programmes, explains how staff work together to protect and support students:
The health and well-being of our students are at the core of what we do, both in the studio and in every aspect of School life. All staff have been trained to understand and recognise REDs, and we work closely with our Healthcare team to provide the best support. Collaboration between Artistic and Pastoral staff ensures we’re doing everything possible to help students thrive.
By promoting awareness, we’re not just protecting their health now but also teaching them lifelong skills. Knowing how to look after their bodies is essential for their future careers as professional dancers.
Mental health and REDs
Often, an athlete experiencing REDs may be unable to dance to their full capacity, or due to high levels of fatigue, they may be unable to perform at their best, which can lead to feelings of isolation, failure, anxiety, and, at times, depression.
Low energy availability can also have neurocognitive and emotional effects, including concentration difficulties, loss of motivation and increased levels of both performance and generalised anxiety.
Christian Uitzinger—our School Psychologist—emphasises:
The emotional and psychological toll of REDs can be profound. One of the critical psychological challenges related to REDs is the issue of body image. For some dancers, the fear of weight gain or pressure to maintain a certain appearance may interfere with proper fueling, exacerbating the condition. This makes it even more important to foster a healthy relationship with food and nurture a loving, kind and healthy relationship with one’s body.
For any young dancer or athlete struggling with body image concerns, finding the right psychological support can be crucial in preventing REDs.
Collaborative prevention and support
For REDs Awareness Week, we will be delivering talks to both students and parents, featuring a panel of experts from our healthcare team. Pippa Woolven from Project RED-S will also share her personal experience with REDs. In addition, we will offer a REDs-themed snack at both sites, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions to our Healthcare Team. To further support awareness, we have created an informative infographic about REDs for dancers and dance teachers, as well as video interviews for our social media platforms.
At The Royal Ballet School, we take a holistic approach to tackling REDs, involving collaboration between our Healthcare, Artistic and Pastoral teams. By identifying the symptoms early and providing students with physical and psychological support, we aim to effectively manage and prevent REDs. This support extends beyond their time here, equipping them with lifelong skills to manage their health as they transition into professional careers.
REDs Awareness Week serves as an important reminder of the complexities of energy balance, particularly in high-performance environments. By raising awareness and fostering open dialogue around REDs, we strive to create an environment where every dancer is supported in both body and mind, allowing them to thrive not just in the studio but throughout their careers.
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