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Athletes from many sports that are categorized by body mass tend to reduce it to fit in lower categories. Such reduction can compromise the athlete's performance and health. In order to determine the most appropriate category, the body composition is highly relevant, especially to avoid excessive reduction. Thus, this study analyzed the morphological profile of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu elite athletes. The sample was composed of 11 athletes, aged 25.8 ± 3.3 years, medalists in national and/or international competitions. The analysis was performed to determine the anthropometric body composition and somatotype. Body fat percentage from this population was 10.3 ± 2.6 % fat, a high percentage of muscle mass (61.3 ± 1.5 %), and predominant mesomorphic component (5.5 ± 1.0) was observed. The points of highest and lowest fat accumulation were respectively abdominal (15.7 ± 6.3 mm) and chest (6.8 ± 1.5 mm) regions. It can be concluded that athletes from this sport showed higher body mass during the preparatory period than in competitive conditions (4.4 ± 2.4 %); however, they showed low body fat, high muscle mass percentage and predominant mesomorphic component.

SummaryIntroduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the magnitude and methods of weight loss among MMA fighters and the influence of this practice in hydration and profile of mood state.Material and methods. The sample was composed by eight MMA fighters during a professional MMA competition, but only five athletes finished all procedures. To evaluate the weight loss prevalence, magnitude and methods it was applied the Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire adapted to MMA. Saliva samples were taken in the official weigh-in and one hour before of the combats to estimate the salivary osmolality. To evaluate the profile of mood states the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) was applied.Results. The results showed that all participants already had lost weight to take part in another event. The athletes reported that they always adopted as method to lose weight: to make more exercise (50 %) and reduce food intake of liquids (37.5 %). The dangers methods to health were cited by athletes in the following sequence: use of diuretics (37.5%), sauna (37.5%), training intentionally in heated training rooms (50 %) and use of diet pills (12.5%). In the competition analyzed 88% of athletes reduced their body mass (4.5 ± 4.2 kg, 5.4 ± 4.3 %) to compete. The salivary osmolality did not show significant difference between weighin (55.6 ± 30.7 mOsmol/kg H2O) and pre-match moment (40.2 ± 27.9 mOsmol/kg H2O). The profile of mood states did not change between the weigh-in (tension: 1.2 ± 1.8, depression: 0 ± 0, anger: 1.2 ± 1.6, vigour: 14.0 ± 0.7, fatigue: 2.6 ± 5.3, confusion: 0.2 ± 0.4) and the pre-match moment (tension: 2.6 ± 2.2, depression: 0 ± 0, anger: 1.4 ± 1.9, vigour: 15.6 ± 0.5, fatigue: 0.0, confusion: 2.8 ± 3.9).Conclusions. The conclusion is that there is a great prevalence of weight loss in MMA athletes in this sample. Furthermore, dangers methods to health are or were practiced to reduce the body mass to compete.