The association between the risk of relative energy deficiency in sports and performance outcomes: A real-world examination of international elite volleyball male athletes

BACKGROUND: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDs) has been reported in Olympic-level male athletes, but the impacts of REDs on performance is unclear. This study explored the association between international elite level volleyball male athletes at risk of REDs and countermovement jump (CMJ) and cognitive performance in real-world setting. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 22 male athletes from a national indoor volleyball program were assessed for medical history, resting metabolic rate, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry assessment of body composition, hematological analysis, 4-day dietary intake, restrained eating behaviour via three-factor eating questionnaire - R18, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire - patellar tendon, CMJ and cognitive performance with the Stroop test. Being at risk of REDs was associated with poorer jump performance (mean power, velocity and jump height) and not Stroop test outcomes (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Being at risk of REDs was associated with poorer jump performance (mean power, velocity and jump height) and not Stroop test outcomes (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Future work should characterize the effects of REDs on neuromuscular performance in international elite level team-based male athletes.