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DEXA for athletes

Bone health and body composition in sport

A high training load needs sufficient energy. If this is lacking over a longer period, bones, the hormone system and performance can suffer – a condition the International Olympic Committee describes as RED-S.

  • Bone density
  • Body composition
  • Follow-up monitoring
DEXA scanner in the examination room at Röntgen am Kai in Graz

What is RED-S?

RED-S stands for “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport”. This page is based on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement from 2023.

  • A prolonged lack of energy availability – meaning too little energy left for the body once training has been “paid for” – can affect health and performance.
  • RED-S can affect both women and men.
  • It can affect bone metabolism, the hormone system and recovery, among other things.
  • This energy gap doesn't always arise intentionally – for example, when training volume increases but nutrition doesn't keep pace.

These warning signs need medical assessment

  • recurrent stress fractures
  • absent periods
  • severe exhaustion
  • significant weight loss

A sports medicine doctor or your GP is the first point of contact.

DEXA for athletes: who RED-S affects more often

  • Endurance sport
  • Cycling and triathlon
  • Weight-category sports
  • Aesthetic sports
  • Athletes with stress fractures
  • very high training load with low energy intake

What a DEXA scan can contribute

  • Bone mineral density

    The bone density scan shows whether bone density is low for your age and sex.

  • Body composition

    The body composition scan measures fat mass and lean soft-tissue mass and their distribution.

  • Trend

    Repeated scans document changes during treatment and training adjustments.

DEXA alone does not diagnose RED-S

A comprehensive assessment by sports medicine specialists, and a nutrition specialist if needed, is required. The IOC consensus statement also includes its own recommendations for the safe, responsible use of body composition measurements in sport – results should protect health, not create pressure around weight or appearance.

Body composition scan for fitness and training

Relevant health goals

Medical sources

  1. Mountjoy M, Ackerman KE, Bailey DM, et al. 2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57(17):1073–1097. View source (opens in a new window)
  2. International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD): Official Positions – Adult, 2023 edition. View source (opens in a new window)

This page is for general information only and does not replace medical advice.

Scan after medical assessment

Bone density and body composition are two different examinations – individually or as a combined appointment (€120).

Arrange by phone: 0316 840 90 50

Opening hours: Mon – Thu 08:00–17:00, Fri 08:00–13:00