RED-D: Relative Energy Deficiency in Dance

Have you heard of the term RED-D? It stands for Relative Energy Deficiency in Dance. It is a collection of negative health and performance outcomes that are experienced by dancers of all genders when there is a mismatch between the amount of energy they are consuming versus the amount they are expending during exercise.

The number one treatment and prevention for RED-D is to eat enough so that the body has enough fuel to sustain both daily bodily functions and training demands.

In this article we explore the reasons why RED-D is common in dancers, and strategies to prevent and support treatment.