Magazine
Protecting athletes’ health: a former synchro skater’s battle against RED-S
Magazine
Protecting athletes’ health: a former synchro skater’s battle against RED-S
After retiring from competition in 2017, Lea continued her academic path with studies in physiotherapy, kinesiology, and health sciences—always connected to synchronized skating.
After a long synchro career, Lea Bušac Krišto from Croatia is now leading one of the first scientific studies on RED-S in synchronized skating—a condition that could silently affect many elite athletes.
Lea Bušac Krišto joined the Croatian senior national team at just 16 and competed in every World Championship from 2006 to 2017. Today, she is pursuing a PhD at the University of Zagreb focused on RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), a condition caused by long-term energy imbalance.
“Synchronized skating shaped who I am. This research is not just academic—it’s personal,” she says.
“Synchronized skating shaped who I am. This research is not just academic—it’s personal,” she says.
Awarded a national scholarship by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Lea is part of a program supporting former elite athletes in their post-sport education.
Understanding RED-S
RED-S occurs when an athlete doesn’t consume enough energy to meet training and daily demands. The body then reduces key functions, affecting hormones, bone density, immunity, and performance.
“The body runs out of fuel. Just like a car with too little gas, it can’t function properly anymore,” Bušac Krišto explains.
This is especially relevant in synchronized skating, where physical demands are high, aesthetic expectations remain strong, and athletes can't be fully professional.
“The body runs out of fuel. Just like a car with too little gas, it can’t function properly anymore,” Bušac Krišto explains.
This is especially relevant in synchronized skating, where physical demands are high, aesthetic expectations remain strong, and athletes can't be fully professional.
Through her doctoral work, Lea Bušac Krišto aims to collect data on RED-S risks among elite skaters—an area still under-researched. She hopes her study will lead to better education, earlier detection, and safer training conditions.
“Protecting athlete wellbeing strengthens teams and raises the standard of the sport.”
The survey is still open and completely anonymous. Coaches and skaters are encouraged to participate to help advance knowledge and improve athlete health.
“Protecting athlete wellbeing strengthens teams and raises the standard of the sport.”
The survey is still open and completely anonymous. Coaches and skaters are encouraged to participate to help advance knowledge and improve athlete health.
