Methods of Body-Mass Reduction by Combat Sport Athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the methods adopted to reduce body mass (BM) in competitive athletes from the grappling (judo, jujitsu) and striking (karate and tae kwon do) combat sports in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. An exploratory methodology was employed through descriptive research, using a standardized questionnaire with objective questions self-administered to 580 athletes (25.0 ± 3.7 yr, 74.5 ± 9.7 kg, and 16.4% ± 5.1% body fat). Regardless of the sport, 60% of the athletes reported using a method of rapid weight loss (RWL) through increased energy expenditure. Strikers tend to begin reducing BM during adolescence. Furthermore, 50% of the sample used saunas and plastic clothing, and only 26.1% received advice from a nutritionist. The authors conclude that a high percentage of athletes uses RWL methods. In addition, a high percentage of athletes uses unapproved or prohibited methods such as diuretics, saunas, and plastic clothing. The age at which combat sport athletes reduce BM for the first time is also worrying, especially among strikers.

Weight loss in mixed martial arts athletes

“…However, subsequent research has found that among national and international level athletes the prevalence was higher (50%), while for regional level Brazilian jiujitsu athletes it was 62.5% [9]. This prevalence presented by Brazilian jiu-jittsu is lower than previously reported in other combat sports, probably because the time interval between weigh in and competition is shorter in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.…”

“…However, it is commonly observed that athletes conduct some arrangements to reduce large amounts of body mass to move to lighter categories, in an attempt to compete against smaller and weaker opponents [6]. In fact, there are data indicating that boxers [7,8], judokas [9,10], wrestlers [11], Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes [9][10][11][12], taekwondo athletes [13,14] and karate athletes [9] adopt methods to reduce the body mass prior to a competition, but no study has been conducted involving the MMA.…”

Methods and magnitudes of rapid weight loss in judo athletes over pre-competition periods

“…These findings are in accordance with a previous study on national level judo athletes [14], reporting an initiation of body weight reduction close to 12 years of age, with the weight reduction process beginning 8 days prior to the tournament. Another investigation found that the reduction behaviours commonly started at 17 years of age, with each process beginning approximately 14 days before the competition and resulting in an average weight loss of 8.5 kg [19]. Moreover, athletes of different ages reduced 2-11 kg in a 5-day period, with a greater loss observed in the juvenile and senior categories [20].…”

“…Athletes from other combat sports presented similar behaviours in the weight loss process. Brito et al [19] reported that karate and taekwondo competitors initiated body weight reduction behaviours at around 13-14 years of age, although they reduced less weight (2-3 kg).…”

“…The rWLQ was previously validated, demonstrating a high validity index, as assessed by 10 specialists (restraint scale = 0.62), and high reproducibility for all questions (ICC > 0.90) [16]. This practical tool has been frequently used with judo athletes and other combat sportsmen [5,14,19].…”