Episode 114: The Impact of Underfueling on Gymnast Bone Health With Melissa Lodge, MS

I have special guest Melissa Lodge, MS on the podcast today and we’re discussing the nitty gritty in terms of underfueling’s long term impact on your gymnast’s bone health.

Melissa is currently doing her PhD focused on FEMA athlete physiology, but particularly under conditions of low availability aka RED-S. She got into this specific field of research to start answering the questions she wished she had as a younger athlete.

Too often we hear about gymnasts focusing on short term performance, never realizing they’re not only sabotaging their performance in the long run, but also their health. Bone stress injuries are rampant in gymnastics. And parents are shocked when they finally learn about the relationship between underfueling and the impact it has on their gymnast’s bone health.

You’re not going to want to miss this episode. Especially if your gymnast has dealt with or is battling bone injuries. Plus, learn how to set your athlete up for a healthy, long career in gymnastics AND as an adult.

In this episode you’ll hear about: 

• What age is the greatest rate of bone growth and development, and what happens when it’s not optimized
• Understanding and addressing bone stress injuries and return to sport
• The importance of carbohydrates in bone health

Links & Resources 

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Melissa Lodge: @fed_collaborative
• Episode 04: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com