Rapid weight loss in visually impaired judo athletes: Prevalence, magnitude, and methods

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, magnitude, and methods of rapid weight loss (RWL) in visually impaired (VI) judo athletes, and compare these aspects between males and females. Thirty VI judo athletes (20 men and 10 women) completed a validated questionnaire to assess information about the magnitude and methods of RWL. Simple frequency was used to describe the influence and methods in all athletes and according to sex. Moreover, the t test was used to compare the variables between the sexes with the significance level set at p < .05. The main results showed that most VI judo athletes (67%) lost weight to compete. Most methods included gradual dieting (40%) and increased exercise volume (33%). The judo coach/ sensei was the person who most influenced the athletes in RWL (45%). There were no significant differences between the sexes regarding the RWL magnitude and methods used. As concluded, most VI judo athletes lost weight to compete, but the interval to reduce weight seemed slightly longer than it usually occurs in RWL. Gradual dieting and increased exercise volume were the most frequently used methods to lose weight, without any differences between males and females.

Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers Competing in Combat Sports

“…Coaches were the most influential people to all athletes, regardless of gender, while parents and physicians were the least influential. This deviates to some extent from previous studies, especially in terms of parental influence ( Kons et al, 2020 ; Drid et al, 2021 ; Figlioli et al, 2021 ; Todorovic et al, 2021 ). It is possible that the athletes in our study were older, and therefore there were not influenced by their parents.…”

“…Athletes in our sample started their RWL practices as adults (19 years old). These results, however, are different from results obtained in previous studies (Berkovich et al, 2016;Kons et al, 2020;Drid et al, 2021;Figlioli et al, 2021;Todorovic et al, 2021), while some reports indicate that athletes even as young as 5 years old lost weight to compete (Sansone and Sawyer, 2005). A possible explanation may be in the fact that our respondents started to train grappling in later years, compared to athletes from the mentioned studies.…”

“…Comparable results were found in the sample of elite male and female Sambo athletes ( Figlioli et al, 2021 ; Todorovic et al, 2021 ). In one small sample of judo athletes, the magnitude of RWL was lower than in this study, while the methods they used were predominantly gradual dieting and increasing exercise ( Gann et al, 2015 ; Kons et al, 2020 ). A recent publication from Lakicevic et al (2021a) discussed this issue in detail.…”

A scoping review on Para Judo

“…In addition, these athletes can effectively improve lower and upper limb power if they train at the optimum power zone 34 . Concerning nutritional strategies for competition, a survey among male and female Brazilian para-judokas found that most lost weight to compete, predominantly through gradual dieting and increased exercise volume 35 …”

“…34 Concerning nutritional strategies for competition, a survey among male and female Brazilian para-judokas found that most lost weight to compete, predominantly through gradual dieting and increased exercise volume. 35 Two studies carried out clinical evaluations and found signs of athlete's heart in Brazilian para-judokas, 36,37 identifying the presence of mild cardiac adaptations to training in the Paralympic judo team. 37 In closing, one study tested the psychometric suitability of an adapted Special Judo Fitness Test for para-judokas through two separate adaptations involving sonorous or tactile stimuli.…”