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Arnaoutis G, Neophytou P. The Effect of Acute Dehydration upon Muscle Strength Indices at Elite Karate Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Study. Nutrients 2025; 17:1452. [PMID: 40362761 PMCID: PMC12073676 DOI: 10.3390/nu17091452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2025] [Revised: 04/23/2025] [Accepted: 04/24/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Acute dehydration, commonly induced through fluid restriction and/or excessive sweating, is a common weight-cutting strategy among combat sport athletes. However, its impact on muscle strength and power remains a concern. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of 2% body mass reduction via dehydration on lower-limb strength and power in elite karate athletes. Methods: Fourteen male elite karate athletes completed two conditions: euhydrated (EUH) and dehydrated (DEH) (-2% body mass via 24-h fluid restriction). Performance was assessed using squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, along with isokinetic knee flexion and extension at 60, 180, and 300°/s. Results: Dehydration significantly reduced squat jump height (37.19 ± 3.69 vs. 39.34 ± 5.08 cm (EUH), p = 0.04), power output (2188.2 ± 307.2 vs. 2351.1 ± 347.2 W (EUH), p = 0.001), and knee extension and flexion strength at 60°/s (p = 0.018). CMJ height and higher-velocity knee flexion/extension were unaffected (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Acute dehydration impairs lower-body maximal force production at low velocities but has no significant effect on high velocity movements. Athletes and coaches should carefully manage hydration strategies when "cutting weight" to avoid any negative performance effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannis Arnaoutis
- Laboratory of Nutrition & Clinical Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, El. Venizelou Ave. 70, Kallithea, GR 17676 Athens, Greece;
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Zhong Y, Song Y, Artioli GG, Gee TI, French DN, Zheng H, Lyu M, Li Y. The Practice of Weight Loss in Combat Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:1050. [PMID: 38613083 PMCID: PMC11013344 DOI: 10.3390/nu16071050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review is to comprehensively assess the weight loss (WL) practices in different combat sports (CS). The review protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO [CRD42023487196]. Three databases were searched (Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and PubMed) until 8 December 2023. Eligible studies had to meet five criteria: they must have been (a) written in English, (b) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (c) used a survey design to investigate the WL practices of CS athletes, and (d) reported the WL methods used by athletes using a five-point scale. Twenty-six studies (3994 participants from 14 CS) were included. This review found that (1) WL is highly prevalent in CS athletes; (2) many CS athletes started losing weight for competition as teenagers two to three times a year; (3) CS athletes usually lose <5% body weight in 7-14 days before competition; (4) increasing exercise and gradually dieting are the most commonly used WL methods; and (5) the influence of scientific practitioners on athletes is negligible. The habitual practices of CS athletes may be relatively harmless, but in some special cases, CS athletes also perform extreme WL practices. Scientific practitioners have little influence on their WL practices, which may form a vicious cycle of non-qualified influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Zhong
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Changhai Road 399, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (H.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Yuou Song
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Changhai Road 399, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (H.Z.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Thomas I. Gee
- School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK;
| | - Duncan N. French
- Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance Institute, Las Vegas, NV 89118, USA;
| | - Hang Zheng
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Changhai Road 399, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (H.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengde Lyu
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Changhai Road 399, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (H.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Yongming Li
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Changhai Road 399, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (H.Z.); (M.L.)
- China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, China
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Gee TI, Campbell P, Bargh MJ, Martin D. Rapid Weight Loss Practices Within Olympic Weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 2023; 37:2046-2051. [PMID: 37729517 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Gee, TI, Campbell, P, Bargh, MJ, and Martin, D. Rapid weight loss practices within Olympic weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2046-2051, 2023-Rapid weight loss (RWL) practices are common among athletes to "make weight" for a chosen bodyweight class. This study's purpose was to investigate RWL prevalence, magnitude, and methods within Olympic weightlifters from Great Britain. Subjects (n = 39, male = 22, female = 17) were recruited from International Weightlifting Federation lifting populations (mandatory two-hour competition weigh-in). Subjects were categorized into competitive groups based on Sinclair coefficient total (high, mid, low) and also gender (male, female). The validated Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire was used to establish RWL magnitude and practices. Of respondents, 33 of 39 (84.6%) had purposely acutely reduced body mass to compete, a higher proportion present within females (94.1%) than males (77.3%). The cohort's mean habitual precompetition acute body mass loss was 3.8 ± 1.7% and the "rapid weight loss score" (RWLS) was 23.6 ± 9.5. Across competitive groups there were no significant differences in habitual or highest precompetition body mass loss, postcompetition body mass gain or RWLS (p > 0.05). However, females attributed a significantly greater "highest" relative precompetition body mass loss compared with males (7.4 vs 4.9%, p = 0.045). For RWL methods used, frequencies of "always" and "sometimes" were reported highest for "restricting fluid ingestion" (81.8%), "gradual dieting" (81.8%), and "water loading" (54.5%). The prevalence of RWL is high among competitive Olympic weightlifters, and especially within the sampled female athletes. Magnitude of RWL was similar across different standards of athlete; however, female lifters demonstrated a higher maximum precompetition RWL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas I Gee
- School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom; and
| | - Paul Campbell
- Department of Advanced and HE Sport, Lincoln College, Lincoln, United Kigdom
| | - Melissa J Bargh
- School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom; and
| | - Daniel Martin
- School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom; and
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Roklicer R, Rossi C, Bianco A, Stajer V, Ranisavljev M, Todorovic N, Manojlovic M, Gilic B, Trivic T, Drid P. Prevalence of rapid weight loss in Olympic style wrestlers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2022; 19:593-602. [PMID: 36250149 PMCID: PMC9559051 DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2022.2119095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Roklicer
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Carlo Rossi
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Bianco
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valdemar Stajer
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marijana Ranisavljev
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nikola Todorovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marko Manojlovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Barbara Gilic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Trivic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Patrik Drid
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Development and test–retest reliability of the Combat Sports Post-Career Health Questionnaire (CSPCHQ). Br J Nutr 2022; 129:1827-1839. [PMID: 35610735 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114522001659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The long-term impact of weight cycling on health status, eating habits, physical activity and the lifestyle of former combat sports athletes is still insufficiently explored. Therefore, a novel questionnaire in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Croatian language was constructed. To determine the reliability and the content/face validity, a total of 110 participants filled the questionnaire on two occasions. With the majority of intra-class correlation coefficient values above 0·75, the questionnaire items were shown to be very stable. Additionally, according to κ values, the questionnaire has fair test–retest reliability, with only one coefficient being labelled as poor (Q40 in ESP). All questionnaire sub-scales showed moderate to very good internal consistency when the overall sample was observed (α ranging from 0·605 to 0·802). Poor α values were found only in Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for CRO and ESP samples. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test showed significant differences only in the Mindful Eating Questionnaire sub-scale scores (overall: P = 0·002, effect size = −0·208 [moderate]; CRO: P = 0·005, effect size = 0·303 [moderate]). It can be concluded that the newly developed questionnaire had strong test–retest reliability. Further validity research in a larger sample of former combat sports athletes should be considered.
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Figlioli F, Bianco A, Thomas E, Stajer V, Korovljev D, Trivic T, Maksimovic N, Drid P. Rapid Weight Loss Habits before a Competition in Sambo Athletes. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13041063. [PMID: 33805862 PMCID: PMC8064378 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Like other combat sports, sambo has competition rules that divide athletes into categories based on gender, age and weight. Athletes in combat sports often resort to rapid weight loss (RWL) methods to be more competitive in lower weight categories and gain an advantage against lighter, smaller and weaker competitors. The aim of this study was to examine the methodology implemented by two different sambo age categories, junior and senior athletes, in order to attain RWL. METHODS The sample consisted of 103 male sambo elite athletes (seniors/juniors: age 28.5 ± 4.3/18.9 ± 0.8; height (m): 1.7 ± 0.1/1.8 ± 0.1; weight (kg): 76.3 ± 17.8/74.4 ± 16.3; BMI (kg/m2): 25.0 ± 3.8/23.7 ± 3.9) who completed a survey on RWL. RESULTS Athletes reported losing a mean of 5 kg starting approximately 12 days before a competition. The most common methodology reported by senior and junior sambo athletes was gradually increasing dieting, followed by sauna and plastic suit training. Less common methods adopted were laxatives, diuretics, the use of diet pills and vomiting. There were significant group differences for sauna and diet pill ingestion. Coaches and parents are influential people in the lives of athletes concerning the weight loss strategy to be adopted. CONCLUSIONS This study's results unequivocally confirm the prevalent practice of RWL in both senior and junior sambo athletes. Although athletes prevalently chose "less harmful" methods, there is a need to inform parents and coaches of the risks and benefits of RWL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Figlioli
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90144 Palermo, Italy; (F.F.); (A.B.); (E.T.)
| | - Antonino Bianco
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90144 Palermo, Italy; (F.F.); (A.B.); (E.T.)
| | - Ewan Thomas
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90144 Palermo, Italy; (F.F.); (A.B.); (E.T.)
| | - Valdemar Stajer
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (D.K.); (T.T.); (N.M.)
| | - Darinka Korovljev
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (D.K.); (T.T.); (N.M.)
| | - Tatjana Trivic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (D.K.); (T.T.); (N.M.)
| | - Nebojsa Maksimovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (D.K.); (T.T.); (N.M.)
| | - Patrik Drid
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (D.K.); (T.T.); (N.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Cannataro R, Cione E, Gallelli L, Marzullo N, Bonilla DA. Acute Effects of Supervised Making Weight on Health Markers, Hormones and Body Composition in Muay Thai Fighters. Sports (Basel) 2020; 8:137. [PMID: 33081214 PMCID: PMC7602705 DOI: 10.3390/sports8100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Making weight is a practice often used in combat sports. This consists of a rapid weight loss (RWL) and a subsequent rapid weight gain (RWG) in the days preceding competition. However, this practice is often carried out based on anecdotal information provided by ex-athletes or non-professionals, which has led to several adverse events. This study aimed to assess the acute effects of a supervised nutritional period of RWL/RWG on health markers, hormone concentrations, and body composition. We performed a single-arm repeated-measures (baseline, after RWL and after RWG) clinical trial with twenty-one (8F:16M) Italian Muay Thai fighters. Body mass was significantly lower after the RWL (-4.1%) while there was a significantly higher glucose availability after RWL and RWG. Blood urea nitrogen, lipid profile, and creatinine were within the normal range after RWL/RWG. Testosterone decrease significantly after RWL and RWG in the men group. Male fighters had a significant reduction in thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration after the RWL and RWG intervention, but no change was found in women at pre-competition. Bioelectrical parameters were almost fully restored after RWG. An evidence-based and individualized nutrition methodology reduces the adverse events after an RWL and RWG practice, although the impact on the hormonal profile is inevitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cannataro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Erika Cione
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Luca Gallelli
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance Operative Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Magna Graecia, Mater Domini Hospital Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | | | - Diego A. Bonilla
- Research Division, DBSS International SAS, Bogotá 110861, Colombia;
- kDNA Genomics, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- Research Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 110311, Colombia
- Research Group in Physical Activity, Sports and Health Sciences (GICAFS), Universidad de Córdoba, Montería 230002, Colombia
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Bio-Banding in Judo: The Mediation Role of Anthropometric Variables on the Maturation Effect. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17010361. [PMID: 31948074 PMCID: PMC6981667 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Young judo athletes are bio-banding based on age and body mass and compete in weight classes. The purposes of this study were to investigate the influences of maturation on physical performance in young judokas through controlling the chronological age and body mass, and to examine the mediating role of anthropometric variables. Sixty-seven judokas, aged 11.0–14.7, were measured for 11 anthropometric and seven physical performance variables. Pearson partial correlations were conducted to verify the relationship between the maturational indicator and the dependent variables. Mediation analyses were performed to identify the extent to which anthropometric variables mediate the relationship. The maturation effect remained on the aerobic capacity and handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Fat mass (b = 80.335, 95%CI 11.580–204.270) and fat-free mass (b = 108.256, 95%CI 39.508–207.606) totally mediated the effect on aerobic capacity. Fat mass (b = 0.023, 95%CI 0.004–0.057), fat-free mass (b = 0.029, 95%CI 0.011–0.058), stature (b = 0.031, 95%CI 0.008–0.061), arm span (b = 0.021, 95%CI 0.003–0.044), and inferior members length (b = 0.022, 95%CI 0.005–0.049) totally mediated the effect on handgrip strength. The effect of biological maturation is noticeable even after age and body mass control, being mediated by anthropometric variables related to body composition and size.
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