Multilevel Evaluation of Rapid Weight Loss in Wrestling and Taekwondo

Abstract

The practice of strategies for rapid weight loss (RWL) involve diverse factors, such as individual expectations, social interactions, structural elements, etc., conforming to a “culture” of RWL, which must be evaluated and understood in a broad sense. Based on the need of a comprehensive evaluation of the use of RWL in practitioners of combat sports, an ad hoc questionnaire designed for this study, which includes the types and detailed descriptions of RWL strategies, that athletes currently use, the prevalence and frequency of use, the physiological and psychological consequences, the perception of the effect of RWL on their own performance and finally, the individuals who influence the adoption of this practice. One hundred and sixty combat athletes from wrestling and taekwondo disciplines, from Mexico, filled out this questionnaire. Data collected for their statistical analyses. Results revealed a RWL strategies prevalence of 96% across the participants. Our results revealed that 57% of those athletes using RWL lose more than 5% of their body mass. Across the athletes, the most commonly used RWL strategies and with higher intensity were increased exercise and training with plastic or thick clothes. The greater the relative weight loss, the greater the presence of physiological symptoms in athletes, such as rapid breathing and blood pressure. Athletes also mentioned mood states such as tiredness, sadness, confusion, fatigue and vigor, these last two positive and negative mood states are associated with the relative weight loss, respectively. Finally, the people who most influenced the adoption of RWL strategies were the coaches, parents and nutritionists. In conclusion, the questionnaire prepared for this study allowed us to obtain valuable information about the several factors, and their interactions, involved in the practice of RWL in combat athletes. This type of practice could increase health risks and decrease their performance. Therefore, here we state the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of RWL strategies that allows the development of psycho-educational and social-based interventions and programs for the promotion of proper weight maintenance, and prevention against RWL strategies, involving the individuals who influence the adoption of these practices and supporting it with the help of communication technologies.

A Survey of Combat Athletes' Rapid Weight Loss Practices and Evaluation of the Relationship With Concussion Symptom Recall

“…The most frequently selected concussion symptoms comprised the same responses as WC, in addition to headaches, head pressure, and neck pain (Figure 3). These findings are in accordance with the previous literature, 18,26–28 indicating that RWL through dehydration increases concussion-related symptoms. The possible reasons for feelings of weakness and fatigue could relate to perturbations in ionic balance to restore osmotic equilibrium 29 and subsequent alterations to cell excitability and excitation–contraction coupling capabilities.…”

The Role of Psychological Factors in Judo: A Systematic Review

“…Also, in some combat sports, weight reduction negatively affects the level of fatigue, tension, and total mood disturbance before competition [ 40 , 41 ]. On the other hand, vigor was inversely associated with the application of rapid weight loss [ 42 ]. The literature presented that weight loss increases the total mood disturbance of senior and junior judo athletes [ 18 ].…”

“…There are contradictory results on the influence of anger on athlete performance. Páez-Ardila et al [ 34 ] showed that judokas with increased anger were those who were defeated, while higher levels of anger improved the chances of better performance in individual and team sports [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, the vigor deficit reduces the probability of winning [ 44 ].…”

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

“…Eligible articles had to be conducted in Official Olympic combats with weight classes: judo, wrestling, taekwondo, or boxing athletes, practicing an RWL method. The participant’s extent of weight loss had to be ∼5% of their body weight, and only male participants >18 years of age were selected ( Khodaee et al, 2015 ; Sagayama et al, 2019 ; Lakicevic et al, 2020 ; Castor-Praga et al, 2021 ). There was no upper age limit for the participants.…”