Female Athlete Health and Performance: Dr Kate Hutchings on Her Visit to Norway’s Olympiatoppen
The UK Sports Institute (UKSI)’s Clinical Lead for Female Athlete Health and Performance Dr Kate Hutchings was recently invited to the Norwegian Olympic Institute, Olympiatoppen, to join a meeting of female athlete experts from around the world to discuss Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).
We caught up with Dr Hutchings to learn more about the visit to Oslo and how the knowledge gained will benefit the UKSI’s approach to female athlete health.
What were the key goals of your visit to the Norwegian Olympic Institute?
The primary goals were to share knowledge and deepen our understanding of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), focusing on recognising the issue, developing educational strategies, and translating research into practical application. The meeting brought together experts from various disciplines – physiotherapists, physiologists, sports medicine doctors, psychologists, and researchers – to discuss the latest evidence and advancements in this field.
What are the most common health challenges that female athletes face, and how is the UKSI addressing these?
One of the most common health challenges female athletes face is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). The UKSI is addressing this through our Female Athlete Health and Performance team, which is well-equipped to manage the condition. We also deliver education to athletes and practitioners, with various resources available on our Learning Arena platform. Most recently, we’ve developed a “low energy availability” pathway for practitioners across the network to ensure comprehensive support for managing this issue.
How do you see the knowledge gained from this visit influencing the UKSI’s approach to female athlete health?
It was an excellent opportunity to gain insight into their challenges and approaches to managing RED-S, as well as to explore how we can raise awareness of this issue among all athletes. We also discussed complex case management and screening strategies. Additionally, the Norwegian Olympic Institute are producing several educational documentaries, in collaboration with the Norwegian Ballet, focusing on the recognition and the health and performance consequences of RED-S. These will be available in the near future.
Are there any plans for future collaboration between the UKSI and the Norwegian Olympic Institute in terms of female athlete health research or best practices?
Yes, absolutely. We built excellent relationships with their teams, and there are promising opportunities for future collaboration. We would like to consider future cross working.