When Healthy Goes Too Far: The Relationship of Energy Availability and Injury in Dancers

  • Register
    • Non-member - $25
    • Member - Free!
    • Student - Free!
    • Staff - Free!
    • Certified Student - Free!
    • Retired - $15

    Continue

Abstract:
The physical and emotional demands placed on dancers in today's culture are great. Gaining a competitive edge and the drive for thinness can often push dancers of all ages and abilities to train harder and eat “healthier”. While this intensity is often admired by teachers, parents, and fellow dancers, healthy eating behaviors that lead to inadequate fueling and the elimination of too many foods or food groups can result in nutrient deficiencies, compromised immune function and increased risk of injury and fractures. The “Female Athlete Triad” is well-known terminology that describes a triad of energy availability, bone health and menstrual function. The term “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport” (RED-S) broadens this concept to include male athletes and describes the complexity that includes dysfunction in a variety of systems including: gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, immunological, integumentary, reproductive, etc.  

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to identify the multi-variable components of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and how if differs from the traditional definition on Female Athlete Triad.
  • Participants will be able to identify the immediate and long-term psychological and physical impact of RED-S in the dancer population. 
  • Participants will be able to discuss strategies for identifying and treating RED-S in dancers, utilizing a team health care approach.  
  • Participants will be able to discuss prevention strategies, utilizing the same team health care approach. 

Level:
Essential

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

Keywords: performing arts, dancer, health care, Female Athlete Triad

On-Demand (Enhanced Access) Course Expiration:
Courses registered for after February 5, 2025, must be completed by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.

Val Schonberg, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, NCMP

Val completed both her Master of Science degree in nutrition and her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota and is Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), a designation held by less than 1% of registered dietitians. She also earned the credential of The Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) by demonstrating her expertise in the menopause field. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) and received the Excellence in Women’s Health Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Women’s Health Dietetic Practice Group.


Series Content Where I am Featured:
When Healthy Goes Too Far: The Relationship of Energy Availability and Injury in Dancers

Mandy Blackmon, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT

Dr. Blackmon teaches in the DPT program at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, primarily in the musculoskeletal course series and related intervention courses. Her current research areas of interest include hypermobility, trigger points and dry needling, and injury surveillance and prevention in dancers and performing artists.  She speaks on these topics at local, state, national, and international meetings.

Dr. Blackmon is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG), and the APTA’s Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.  She holds leadership positions in the  Performing Arts Special Interest Group.  In 2015, PTAG awarded her the Merit Award for Exceptional Service and Achievement.

She is also a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, the International Myofascial Pain Society, and the Performing Arts Medical Association.  She serves on the Executive Board for Dance/USA’S Taskforce on Dancer Health, addressing injury prevention and surveillance for professional dancers. Dr. Blackmon is the past President of the Eating Disorders Information Network and now serves on the Medical Advisory Board for the organization.

Dr. Blackmon is a board-certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy with 18 years of clinical experience treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions. She specializes in treating performing artists and dancers, and is the head physical therapist for Atlanta Ballet.

Mandy runs a private practice in Atlanta, GA and is a founding partner in Atlanta Dance Medicine.



Series Content Where I am Featured:
When Healthy Goes Too Far: The Relationship of Energy Availability and Injury in Dancers

Components visible upon registration.