Lakicevic N, Mani D, Paoli A, Roklicer R, Bianco A, Drid P. Weight cycling in combat sports: revisiting 25 years of scientific evidence.
BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2021;
13:154. [PMID:
34906212 PMCID:
PMC8670259 DOI:
10.1186/s13102-021-00381-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
As 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.
RESULTS
Although 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.
CONCLUSIONS
Weigh-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.
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