The University of Texas at Austin is hosting a female athlete panel to discuss a health
epidemic that has plagued women’s sports but evaded public awareness – Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). The panel is the culmination of three years of interviews with current and former national champions, Olympians, decorated international and collegiate coaches, and leading medical and nutrition experts. For the first time in sport, more than 60 members of an elite group in one sport stepped forward together to share their intimate struggles to raise awareness and educate about RED-S.
RED-S is a condition where there’s a shortage of energy available to keep up with the demands of exercise, on top of essential daily functions and the body goes into ‘energy saving mode’. is a condition where there’s a shortage of energy available to keep up with the demands of exercise, on top of essential daily functions and the body goes into ‘energy saving mode’. This can cause serious long-term or even fatal issues like weakened immunity and delayed healing time from injury, cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, menstrual disturbances, depression, and anxiety. It can also end a sporting career early, causing decreased power, muscle strength and stamina.
The panel includes:
Amanda Russell, former elite Canadian runner, entrepreneur, Austin resident
Amy Culp RD, CSSD, LD, CEDS-S, Assistant Athletics Director, Performance Nutrition & Clinical Wellness, Intercollegiate Athletics, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Shawn Tassone, Austin-based Double Board-Certified doctor of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Reilly Heinrich, NCAA Indoor Volleyball athlete, UT Austin and President of TAPHO (Texas Athletics Pre-Health Organization) for Student-Athletes.
Moderator: James Dalthrop, Assistant Professor of Practice: Integrated Communication for Sports; Social Media for Sports, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin.
