Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance
Background Rapid weight loss (RWL) followed by rapid weight gain (RWG) is a regular pre-competition routine in combat sports and weightlifting. With the prevalence of these sports exceeding 20% at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are limited data on RWL and RWG practices and their impact on well-being...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2099231 |
| _version_ | 1827811628810240000 |
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| author | Maruša Štangar Anja Štangar Volha Shtyrba Blaž Cigić Evgen Benedik |
| author_facet | Maruša Štangar Anja Štangar Volha Shtyrba Blaž Cigić Evgen Benedik |
| author_sort | Maruša Štangar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Rapid weight loss (RWL) followed by rapid weight gain (RWG) is a regular pre-competition routine in combat sports and weightlifting. With the prevalence of these sports exceeding 20% at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are limited data on RWL and RWG practices and their impact on well-being and competitive success in elite-level athletes. Methods A total of 138 elite-level female and male judokas, 7.7% of the athletes ranked as top 150 on the International Judo Federation Senior World Ranking List (WRL), completed a survey on RWL, RWG, and the consequences of these practices. Results Our findings showed that 96% of the respondents practice RWL. The average reduced body mass percentage was 5.8 ± 2.3%. Respondents who used either of the dehydration methods – fluid restriction, sauna suit, and/or sauna/hot bath – to reduce weight were 88%, 85%, and 76%, respectively. Furthermore, 91% of the respondents reported reduced energy as a negative consequence of RWL and 21% experienced a collapse episode during the RWL period. Respondents ranked 1–20 on the WRL experienced fewer negative consequences of RWL and RWG (p = 0.002) and had more dietitian and/or medical doctor support (p = 0.040) than lower-ranked respondents. Those who started with RWL practices before the age of 16 (38%) were ranked lower on the WRL (p = 0.004) and reported more negative consequences of RWL and RWG (p = 0.014). Conclusions This study is the first to provide insight into the RWL practices of worldwide elite-level judokas and provides valuable information for the combat sports society, especially coaches. Proper weight management and optimal timed initiation of RWL practices in a judoka’s career may contribute to success at the elite level. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:08:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4df0ed8b85924d60bbfe90699166711a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:08:18Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-4df0ed8b85924d60bbfe90699166711a2023-09-21T12:43:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832022-12-0119138039610.1080/15502783.2022.20992312099231Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performanceMaruša Štangar0Anja Štangar1Volha Shtyrba2Blaž Cigić3Evgen Benedik4University of LjubljanaUniversity Medical Centre LjubljanaSlovenian Judo FederationUniversity of LjubljanaUniversity of LjubljanaBackground Rapid weight loss (RWL) followed by rapid weight gain (RWG) is a regular pre-competition routine in combat sports and weightlifting. With the prevalence of these sports exceeding 20% at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are limited data on RWL and RWG practices and their impact on well-being and competitive success in elite-level athletes. Methods A total of 138 elite-level female and male judokas, 7.7% of the athletes ranked as top 150 on the International Judo Federation Senior World Ranking List (WRL), completed a survey on RWL, RWG, and the consequences of these practices. Results Our findings showed that 96% of the respondents practice RWL. The average reduced body mass percentage was 5.8 ± 2.3%. Respondents who used either of the dehydration methods – fluid restriction, sauna suit, and/or sauna/hot bath – to reduce weight were 88%, 85%, and 76%, respectively. Furthermore, 91% of the respondents reported reduced energy as a negative consequence of RWL and 21% experienced a collapse episode during the RWL period. Respondents ranked 1–20 on the WRL experienced fewer negative consequences of RWL and RWG (p = 0.002) and had more dietitian and/or medical doctor support (p = 0.040) than lower-ranked respondents. Those who started with RWL practices before the age of 16 (38%) were ranked lower on the WRL (p = 0.004) and reported more negative consequences of RWL and RWG (p = 0.014). Conclusions This study is the first to provide insight into the RWL practices of worldwide elite-level judokas and provides valuable information for the combat sports society, especially coaches. Proper weight management and optimal timed initiation of RWL practices in a judoka’s career may contribute to success at the elite level.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2099231weight cuttingdietbody masscombat sportssuccess |
| spellingShingle | Maruša Štangar Anja Štangar Volha Shtyrba Blaž Cigić Evgen Benedik Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition weight cutting diet body mass combat sports success |
| title | Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| title_full | Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| title_fullStr | Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| title_short | Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| title_sort | rapid weight loss among elite level judo athletes methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance |
| topic | weight cutting diet body mass combat sports success |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2099231 |
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