The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast
Welcome to The Gymnast Nutritionist® podcast, a free resource for gymnast, parents, and coaches to learn to fuel the gymnast optimal performance and longevity int he sport. Christina Anderson MS, RDN, CSP, CSSD is a board certified pediatric/adolescent registered dietitian nutritionist, former gymnast, and current nationally rated gymnastics judge. She helps gymnasts and their parents take a proactive approach to fueling, without the stress or overwhelm. This podcast is all #realtalk where she tackles tough subjects about nutrition, body image, and more in the sport of gymnastics.
The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast
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 Lodge, MS is a third year PhD student (@fed_collaborative) is currently doing her PhD focused on female 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 the short term performance, not 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
