Abstract
The practice of rapid weight loss (RWL) in mixed martial arts (MMA) is an increasing concern but data remain scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, magnitude, methods, and influencers of RWL in professional and amateur MMA athletes. MMA athletes (N = 314; 287 men and 27 women) across nine weight categories (strawweight to heavyweight), completed a validated questionnaire adapted for this sport. Sex-specific data were analyzed, and subgroup comparisons were made between athletes competing at professional and amateur levels. Most athletes purposefully reduced body weight for competition (men: 97.2%; women: 100%). The magnitude of RWL in 1 week prior to weigh-in was significantly greater for professional athletes compared with those competing at amateur level (men: 5.9% vs. 4.2%; women: 5.0% vs. 2.1% of body weight; p < .05). In the 24 hr preceding weigh-in, the magnitude of RWL was greater at professional than amateur level in men (3.7% vs. 2.5% of body weight; p < .05). Most athletes "always" or "sometimes" used water loading (72.9%), restricting fluid intake (71.3%), and sweat suits (55.4%) for RWL. Coaches were cited as the primary source of influence on RWL practices (men: 29.3%; women: 48.1%). There is a high reported prevalence of RWL in MMA, at professional and amateur levels. Our findings, constituting the largest inquiry to date, call for urgent action from MMA organizations to safeguard the health and well-being of athletes competing in this sport.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 512-517 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 12 Mar 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sep 2019 |
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"High Prevalence and Magnitude of Rapid Weight Loss in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes. / Hillier, Mathew; Sutton, Louise; James, Lewis ; Mojtahedi, Dara; Keay, Nicola; Hind, Karen.
In: International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Vol. 29, No. 5, 01.09.2019, p. 512-517.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - "High Prevalence and Magnitude of Rapid Weight Loss in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes
AU - Hillier, Mathew
AU - Sutton, Louise
AU - James, Lewis
AU - Mojtahedi, Dara
AU - Keay, Nicola
AU - Hind, Karen
PY - 2019/9/1
Y1 - 2019/9/1
N2 - The practice of rapid weight loss (RWL) in mixed martial arts (MMA) is an increasing concern but data remain scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, magnitude, methods, and influencers of RWL in professional and amateur MMA athletes. MMA athletes (N = 314; 287 men and 27 women) across nine weight categories (strawweight to heavyweight), completed a validated questionnaire adapted for this sport. Sex-specific data were analyzed, and subgroup comparisons were made between athletes competing at professional and amateur levels. Most athletes purposefully reduced body weight for competition (men: 97.2%; women: 100%). The magnitude of RWL in 1 week prior to weigh-in was significantly greater for professional athletes compared with those competing at amateur level (men: 5.9% vs. 4.2%; women: 5.0% vs. 2.1% of body weight; p < .05). In the 24 hr preceding weigh-in, the magnitude of RWL was greater at professional than amateur level in men (3.7% vs. 2.5% of body weight; p < .05). Most athletes "always" or "sometimes" used water loading (72.9%), restricting fluid intake (71.3%), and sweat suits (55.4%) for RWL. Coaches were cited as the primary source of influence on RWL practices (men: 29.3%; women: 48.1%). There is a high reported prevalence of RWL in MMA, at professional and amateur levels. Our findings, constituting the largest inquiry to date, call for urgent action from MMA organizations to safeguard the health and well-being of athletes competing in this sport.
AB - The practice of rapid weight loss (RWL) in mixed martial arts (MMA) is an increasing concern but data remain scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, magnitude, methods, and influencers of RWL in professional and amateur MMA athletes. MMA athletes (N = 314; 287 men and 27 women) across nine weight categories (strawweight to heavyweight), completed a validated questionnaire adapted for this sport. Sex-specific data were analyzed, and subgroup comparisons were made between athletes competing at professional and amateur levels. Most athletes purposefully reduced body weight for competition (men: 97.2%; women: 100%). The magnitude of RWL in 1 week prior to weigh-in was significantly greater for professional athletes compared with those competing at amateur level (men: 5.9% vs. 4.2%; women: 5.0% vs. 2.1% of body weight; p < .05). In the 24 hr preceding weigh-in, the magnitude of RWL was greater at professional than amateur level in men (3.7% vs. 2.5% of body weight; p < .05). Most athletes "always" or "sometimes" used water loading (72.9%), restricting fluid intake (71.3%), and sweat suits (55.4%) for RWL. Coaches were cited as the primary source of influence on RWL practices (men: 29.3%; women: 48.1%). There is a high reported prevalence of RWL in MMA, at professional and amateur levels. Our findings, constituting the largest inquiry to date, call for urgent action from MMA organizations to safeguard the health and well-being of athletes competing in this sport.
KW - Martial Arts
KW - Combat sports
KW - Dieting
KW - Health Risks
KW - Rapid Weight Loss
KW - Weight loss
KW - combat sport
KW - health risks
KW - dieting
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071784056&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0393
DO - 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0393
M3 - Article
VL - 29
SP - 512
EP - 517
JO - International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
JF - International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
SN - 1526-484X
IS - 5
ER -