MIDDLEDITCH BACK ON TRACK

Hit by energy deficiency syndrome, S'pore triathlete tweaks training as she eyes Asiad

- Joel Chang

Just weeks before the SEA Games, national triathlete Louisa Middleditch should have been in peak condition, but instead found herself struggling to get out of bed for training sessions on some mornings, despite clocking in 10 hours of sleep and three-hour naps.

Fatigue, moodiness and a lack of motivation - as well as an irregular menstruation cycle - suggested that something had gone awry. While the 25-year-old noted that it was normal for triathletes to feel this way due to their rigorous training load, this time the symptoms pushed her to seek medical attention.

While doctors in Singapore were unable to reach a proper diagnosis, practitioners in Perth - where she is pursuing her PhD in sports science - were able to pinpoint the problem.

She was eventually diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS), a syndrome which happens when the body does not get enough fuel and energy to meet the demands placed on it by the amount of exercise. This leads to poor health and declining athletic performance.

While it was comforting to finally understand what was going on, Middleditch acknowledged that she was also "stressing about not getting the training in".