Extreme Rapid Weight Loss and Rapid Weight Gain Observed in UK Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Preparing for Competition
Matthews JJ, Nicholas C
International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism · 52 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- University of Chichester
Based on 1 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2016-10-06 · Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · vol. 27 · issue 2 · pp. 122–129
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Cited
- 119 citations · more than 96% of similar papers · 5.4× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 25 works
- Access
- Free to read
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Muscle metabolism and nutrition · Occupational Health and Performance
- Keywords
- Athletes, Martial arts, Medicine, Competition (biology), Animal science, Body weight, Physical therapy, Internal medicine, Biology
- MeSH
- humans, dehydration, weight gain, weight loss, exercise, steam bath, diet, severity of illness index, cross-sectional studies, competitive behavior, energy intake, drinking, dangerous behavior, martial arts, adult, male, diet, carbohydrate-restricted, young adult, athletes, self report, sports nutritional physiological phenomena, united kingdom
2 authors
From GB
- Joseph J. MatthewsUniversity College Birmingham; West Midlands Police
- Ceri NicholasUniversity of Chester; Cheshire West and Chester
Abstract
There is a lack of research documenting the weight-making practices of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) competitors. The purpose of the investigation was to quantify the magnitude and identify the methods of rapid weight loss (RWL) and rapid weight gain (RWG) in MMA athletes preparing for competition. Seven athletes (mean ± SD, age 24.6 ± 3.5 yrs, body mass 69.9 ± 5.7 kg, competitive experience 3.1 ± 2.2 yrs) participated in a repeated-measures design. Measures of dietary intake, urinary hydration status, and body mass were recorded in the week preceding competition. Body mass decreased significantly (p -1 and 471 ± 124 g・day-1, respectively. At the official weigh-in 57% of athletes were dehydrated (1033 ± 19 mOsmol・kg-1) and the remaining 43% were severely dehydrated (1267 ± 47 mOsmol・kg-1). Athletes reported using harmful dehydration-based RWL strategies, including sauna (43%) and training in plastic suits (43%). Results demonstrated RWG greater than RWL, this is a novel finding and may be attributable to the 32 hr duration from weigh-in till competition. The observed magnitude of RWL and strategies used are comparable to those which have previously resulted in fatalities. Rule changes which make RWL impractical should be implemented with immediate effect to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of competitors.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.