Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Goldman’s Dilemma: A Case Report in 42 Year-Old Woman Endurance Athlete

ABSTRACT

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) defines insufficient calorie intake for the physiological and athletic functions of the athlete, and accordingly deterioration in the musculoskeletal, hormonal, cardiovascular and immune systems. Herein, we present a 42-year-old female long-distance runner with multiple pelvic stress fractures who didn’t complete her prescribed treatment program and wanted to keep running despite being aware of the associated pain and risks. The Goldman dilemma refers to the unsettling reality that a significant number of professional athletes may contemplate sacrificing their lives in order to achieve Olympic glory. This disregard for the numerous challenges stemming from an obsession with success is equally applicable to the amateur athlete depicted in this case. Our patient’s fractures were examined in relation to RED-S and managed through conservative treatment methods. The RED-S and Goldman dilemma should be kept in mind not only in professional but also in semi-professional, and amateur athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• RED-S
• stress fracture
• Goldman’s dilemma
• Multidisciplinary Care Team
• Athletic Performance

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.