Lightest weight-class athletes are at higher risk of weight regain: results from the French-Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire

Pélissier, Léna; Ennequin, Gaël; Bagot, Sarah; Pereira, Bruno; Lachèze, Thomas; Duclos, Martine; Torgerson, David; Miles-Chan, Jennifer L.; Isacco, Laurie

doi:10.1080/00913847.2021.2014285

Cited by 7 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…To better assess and evaluate RWL magnitude among athletes, the questionnaires were translated from the original Portuguese language to several languages (e.g., Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, Serbian, Romanian, German, and Bulgarian) to facilitate data collection. Thus far, the questionnaire was validated in Portuguese and French only ( Pélissier et al, 2021 ). All of the questionnaires were anonymous.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers Competing in Combat Sports

et al. 2022

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BackgroundGrappling is a wrestling style that combines different techniques such as freestyle wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, and others. As with other combat sports, it requires categorizing the athletes in weight classes, which leads to the use of certain methods to lose body weight in a short amount of time which poses a serious threat to athletes’ health and wellbeing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the most widespread rapid weight loss (RWL) methods and sources of influence used by grappling athletes.MethodsA total of 145 athletes took part in the study by voluntarily filling out a questionnaire regarding their weight loss techniques and methods. They were divided into two groups, male (27.7 ± 5.2 years, 1.76 ± 0.13 m, and 82.1 ± 20 kg) and female (27.33 ± 6.3 years, 1.65 ± 0.08 m, and 64.3 ± 10.4 kg), for further statistical analysis. After calculating descriptive statistics for all the variables, a t-test was conducted for gender differences in weight loss and weight regain, and a chi-square test measured the diversity in techniques and source of influence.ResultsOut of 145 participants, 120 athletes (85.2%) reported engaging in rapid weight loss prior to weigh-in. Coaches (52.4 and 59%) and teammates (42.6 and 22.1%) seemed to be the most influential on their rapid weight-loss strategies, whereas physicians (17.1 and 17.9%) and parents (23.2 and 23.1%) were the least influential. A statistical difference between men and women (p = 0.05) was found when teammates were a source of influence (42.6 and 21.1%, respectively). Regarding the methods used, both groups practiced gradual dieting (85.4 and 79.5%) as the most prevalent, followed by increased exercise (79 and 66.6%) and sauna (78.7 and 66.6%). Moreover, men trained in plastic suits significantly more often than women (67.1 vs. 41%, p = 0.01).ConclusionRapid weight loss is detrimental to athletes’ health and wellbeing. Hence, it is crucial to find and implement methods that will control and ultimately limit its use in combat sports. Physicians and nutritionists need to be closely linked with the staff, collaborate and supervise the weight cutting.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers Competing in Combat Sports

et al. 2022

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“…Then, seven studies were included in meta-analyses thanks to raw data sent by the authors, conducting 32 the total number of studies included in the meta-analyses. 2,[11][12][13]16,38,39,41,43,53,[78][79][80][81][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100]…”

Section: Search Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Weight management and history were assessed in 30 articles. 2-4,11-15, 44,51,52,56-58,62,67,68,74,77,83,84,90,91,94,96,98-101,104 Usual WL methods were recorded using the Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ) (N = 15) 2,3,[11][12][13]44,83,84,90,91,94,96,[98][99][100] and similar questionnaires (N = 6), 4,14,67,68,74,77 interviews were conducted in seven studies, 51,52,[56][57][58]70,101 one article initiated a survey, 62 and one used a specific Military Eating Behavior Scale. 104 The methods used to assess of the other considered outcomes (EI, dietary and eating behaviors, physical activity and performance, hydration status, metabolic profile, and psychometric variables) are presented and detailed in Table S2.…”

Section: Weight Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight regain, body composition, and metabolic responses to weight loss in weight cycling athletes: A systematic review and meta‐analyses

Bagot,

Pélissier,

Pereira

et al. 2023

Obesity Reviews

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Depending on the nature of their sports, athletes may be engaged in successive weight loss (WL) and regain, conducing to “weight cycling.” The aims of this paper were to systematically (and meta‐analytically when possible) analyze the post‐WL recovery of (i) body weight and (ii) fat mass; fat‐free mass; and performance and metabolic responses in weight cycling athletes (18–55 years old, body mass index < 30 kg.m−2). MEDLINE, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases were explored. The quality and risk of bias of the 74 included studies were assessed using the quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Thirty‐two studies were eligible for meta‐analyses. Whatever the type of sports or methods used to lose weight, post‐WL body weight does not seem affected compared with pre‐WL. While similar results are observed for fat‐free mass, strength sports athletes (also having longer WL and regain periods) do not seem to fully recover their initial fat mass (ES: −0.39, 95% CI: [−0.77; −0.00], p = 0.048, I2 = 0.0%). Although the methods used by athletes to achieve WL might prevent them from a potential post‐WL fat overshooting, further studies are needed to better understand WL episodes consequences on athletes' performance as well as short‐ and long‐term physical, metabolic, and mental health.

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“…In a controlled setting, there is evidence that those competing in the lighter weight divisions achieve more significant relative weight losses than those in heavier weight categories ( Horswill et al, 1994 ; Wroble and Moxley, 1998 ), indicating that many athletes intend to compete in the lightest weight category possible. Despite this, the magnitude of RWL does not seem to be an important factor for winning in combat sports, while the risk of weight regain (RWG) might be the decisive factor, especially for grappling sports ( Alderman et al, 2004 ; Reale et al, 2016 ; Zubac et al, 2018 ; Coswig et al, 2019 ; Faro et al, 2021 ; Pélissier et al, 2022 ). In addition, few studies showed the magnitude of the effect of RWL, called “weight cutting” and “making weight,” on athletes’ power or strength.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On a broader scale, athletes generally shed approximately 2–10% of their weight before each competition, primarily 2–3 days before the weigh-in ( Artioli et al, 2016 ). The authors demonstrated relationships between the pattern of RWL practices, the potential increased risk of subsequent weight gain in weight-cycling athletes, and the need to better understand RWL ( Coswig et al, 2019 ; Pélissier et al, 2022 ). These behavioral practices can be associated with poor performance outcomes, in addition to harmful side effects for fighters, which is the reason why different authors do not recommend its use ( Hall and Lane, 2001 ; Artioli et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Weight Loss of Up to Five Percent of the Body Mass in Less Than 7 Days Does Not Affect Physical Performance in Official Olympic Combat Athletes With Weight Classes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

et al. 2022

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Given the relevance of the effects that weight loss can generate on the physical performance in athletes, this study performed a systematic review with meta-analysis of the published literature on rapid weight loss (RWL) and examined its impact on the physical performance in Official Olympic combat sports athletes. The “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis” (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to ensure an ethical and complete reporting of the findings. PubMed, SPORT Discus, and EBSCO were the electronic databases explored for article retrieval and selection. The following string was applied: “RWL” OR “weight loss” OR “weight reduction” AND “judo” OR “wrestling” or “taekwondo” or “boxing” AND “performance.” Based on the quality analysis, conducted according to the “Tool for the assessment of study quality and reporting in exercise training studies” (TESTEX), ten articles achieved a score >6 points. The meta-analysis showed a significant difference in pre- vs. post-weight loss (p = 0.003) and no effects in pre- vs. post-power and strength performance analysis (p > 0.05 for both results). Based on our systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature, RWL up to ≤5% of the body mass in less than 7 days does not influence performance outcomes in Official Olympic combat athletes with weight classes, considering the strength and power measures.

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Lightest weight-class athletes are at higher risk of weight regain: results from the French-Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire

Cited by 7 publications

References 46 publications

Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers Competing in Combat Sports

Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers Competing in Combat Sports

Weight regain, body composition, and metabolic responses to weight loss in weight cycling athletes: A systematic review and meta‐analyses

Rapid Weight Loss of Up to Five Percent of the Body Mass in Less Than 7 Days Does Not Affect Physical Performance in Official Olympic Combat Athletes With Weight Classes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

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