Analysis of Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome developement with case study

Pretreniranost je pereč problem sodobnega športa. Z njo se srečuje ogromno tako vrhunskih kot rekreativnih športnikov, pa vendar jo je težko prepoznati in jasno diagnosticirati. V kolikor ni pravočasno odkrita, lahko povzroči veliko škodo na športnikovem fiziološkem, telesnem in psihološkem področju. Preden pride do razvoja sindroma pretreniranosti, je športnikovo fiziološko delovanje običajno okvarjeno zaradi sindroma relativnega energijskega deficita (RED-S), ki s samo pretreniranostjo kaže veliko podobnosti. Eden prvih znakov za razvoj sindroma je upad športnikove storilnosti, za kar pa lahko obstajajo številni drugi razlogi. Če jih želimo pripisati omenjenemu sindromu, moramo predhodno izločiti vsa druga zdravstvena obolenja, ki bi lahko privedla do opaženih simptomov. V magistrski nalogi je bila za namen raziskovanja uporabljena metoda študije primera. Obravnavana je bila 25-letna športnica, ki je v poletju 2018 imela vse simptome sindroma pretreniranosti. Na podlagi številnih preiskav in meritev, ki smo jih opravili, je bil sindrom kmalu potrjen. Predstavljene so vse obravnave do konca leta 2019. Natančno sta bili določeni zdravstvena in športna anamneza športnice, ob rednih meritvah telesne sestave ter krvnih preiskavah pa je opravila tudi druge, kot so meritev kostne gostote, preiskava ščitničnih hormonov, ultrazvok abdomna itd. Naredila je tudi psihološki DASS-test, ki poda klinično oceno športnikovega psihološkega stanja. Športnica je bila obravnavana še s strani prehranskih strokovnjakov. V nalogi sta predstavljena okviren energijski vnos in poraba ter navedene aktivnosti, ki so domnevno privedle do razvoja sindroma RED-S. Problem športnice smo preučili z vidika različnih področij ter tako nedvoumno potrdili, da gre za primer sindroma RED-S, katerega razvoj se je že nadaljeval v fazo pretreniranosti in pri športnici povzročil številne spremembe. Ker je bil razvoj sindroma v svojih temeljih spregledan in sprva neustrezno obravnavan, rešitev ne gre poiskati čez noč in je za vsakršne spremembe potrebna velika mera potrpežljivosti. Športnica je še zmeraj obravnavana s strani številnih strokovnjakov in se trudi, da bi se vrnila na normalno funkcionalno raven vseh področij delovanja. Kljub temu, da obravnavan primer ni povsem zaključen, naloga služi kot dober prispevek k razvoju športne stroke in znanosti ter je lahko koristno gradivo številnim trenerjem in športnikom.Overtraining is a common issue of modern sport. Not only professional, but also recreational athletes face with overtraining. Despite its commonness it can be difficult to recognize it and give it a clear diagnosis. When overtraining is not diagnosed early enough it can cause physiological, physical and mental damage to the athlete. Prior to developing the overtraining syndrome, athlete`s physiological functions can already be damaged due to Relative Energy deficiency in Sport (RED-S) syndrome, which is similar to the syndrome of overtraining. One of the first symptoms of RED-S is drop in athlete`s productivity, which can be caused by several other factors as well. It is important to exclude other medical conditions before deciding whether the given symptoms in fact lead to RED-S diagnosis. In this master thesis, a case study has been carried out in order to study the above explained syndrome. A 25-year old athlete (female) who developed all symptoms of the overtraining syndrome in Summer of 2018 has been studied. By carrying out a variety of measurements and analysis, the syndrome was soon confirmed. The thesis work presents the results of all examinations performed by the end of year 2019. Medical- and sport anamnesis of the athlete have been determined specifically by carrying out regular body structure measurements as well as several blood tests, bone density measurement, thyroid function test, abdominal ultrasound etc. Moreover, psychological DASS test has been performed, which provides clinical assessment of the athlete`s mental state. The athlete has also been examined by nutrition professionals. The thesis work shows approximate energy intake and consumption as well as given activities, which presumably led to the development of RED-S. The athlete`s problem has been studied from several points of view on different areas, all of which brought about the common conclusion, indicating the RED-S syndrome. The development of the syndrome already continued into overtraining phase and caused several changes in the athlete. The syndrome`s bases of development have been overlooked and initially unprofessionally approached, because of which the solution cannot not be reached over-night and requires incredible patience. The athlete is still examined by several different professionals and is putting her best effort into returning to the normal levels in all areas of functionality. Despite the fact that the given case study is not fully completed, the thesis work provides a great contribution to the development of sport as a professional area as well as to science and is a valuable material for other athletes and their coaches