Weight cycling in combat sports: revisiting 25 years of scientific evidence

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Diba Mani¹  Antonio Paoli²  Roberto Roklicer³  Patrik Drid³  Nemanja Lakicevic⁴  Antonino Bianco⁴ 

[1] Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA;Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35122, Padua, Italy;Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia;Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy;

关键词: Rapid weight loss;    Rapid weight gain;    Martial arts;    Metabolic health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13102-021-00381-2

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAs combat sports are classified by body mass, many athletes engage in rapid weight loss (RWL) prior to competition so they can gain an advantage over lighter opponents. Following the weigh-in, athletes engage in rapid weight gain (RWG), whereby some athletes have been able to compete up to three weight categories greater than the official division weighed in at.ResultsAlthough the impact of weight cycling on performance remains equivocal, robust scientific evidence indicates serious acute and chronic negative consequences on physiological and health-related parameters. Still, weight cycling remains highly prevalent in combat sports, and interventions to limit or stop this cultural norm are recommended.ConclusionsWeigh-ins for combat sports should be transitioned to take place closer to the start of competition. This reduced time and access to engage in RWG will cut down, if not completely prevent, weight cycling. These rule changes that aim to benefit athlete’s health and promote fairness must be made at the international level, which will promote them at those levels below, as well, given qualification protocols.

【 授权许可】

CC BY