Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2026

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2024
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and Body Composition
Mark Godley1, Daniel Fink1, Tim Saupe1
1Department of Morphology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia.
Background:
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is a multi-system syndrome precipitated by sustained low energy availability (LEA) and known to perturb bone, muscle, adipose, endocrine, and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis in athletic populations.
Research Question:
How does chronic exercise-induced LEA modify the four principal compartments of body composition-bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, adipose (total and visceral) tissue, and hydration status-and to what extent do these modifications differ across endurance, strength, and aesthetic sporting disciplines?
Objective:
The objective of this narrative review was to synthesise the post-2000 peer-reviewed literature addressing this question, to delineate sex- and sport-specific patterns of compositional change, and to appraise the evidence base underpinning current nutritional and screening recommendations.
Methods:
A structured search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (January 2000-June 2026) was performed; 85 sources specific to REDs, body composition, and athletes met the pre-specified inclusion criteria and informed the synthesis (104 references are cited in total, including background and methodological sources), the reporting of which was guided by the SANRA framework.
Scope:
The review integrates physiological, endocrine, and nutritional evidence across both sexes, contrasts REDs risk across endurance, ultra-endurance, weight-category/aesthetic, speed-power, and team disciplines and addresses practical implications for screening, interdisciplinary care, and future research.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Redox Reactions
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...

