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Garthe, I. , and J. Sundgot-Borgen. Med Sci Sports Exerc 38 (5):S70, 2006.
A number of studies focusing on College wrestlers and pathological weight loss METHODS and strategies to loose weight have been published, but there are few international studies on elite athletes representing other weight-category sports than wrestling (e.g. boxing, judo, kickboxing). A previous study on Norwegian elite athletes representing several weight-event sports showed that most of the athletes practiced extreme weight loss METHODS prior to competition to obtain their competitive weight.
PURPOSE : To examine weight loss METHODS and nutritional routines in international level athletes in weight-category sports. METHODS : A questionnaire was developed and administered to the total population of athletes participating in European Championship in Kickboxing 2004 (n = 282), European Championship in boxing (n = 75, females) and Norwegian national team athletes in Taekwondo, boxing, kickboxing, judo, karate, jujutsu, wrestling and lightweight crews (n = 75) (total n = 414). Questions related to frequency and magnitude of weight loss during the season, weigh control METHODS, the effect on performance and nutritional practices related to weigh in procedures were asked and the questionnaire were translated into seven different languages. RESULTS : The response rate was 79%. 47% were male (23,8 ± 5,1 yrs, 70,2 ± 12 kg in-season) and 53% were female athletes (24,5 ± 4,1 yrs, 59,1 ± 9,7 kg in-season). 77% and 64% of the male and female athletes usually/always reduce their body weight prior to competition (p<0,01). The average weight reduction was 5,9% of total bodyweight for both gender. The average number of weight reduction periods during one season was 4,6 ± 2,5 times for male and 5,5 ± 2,8 for female athletes (p<0,01). The most common weight reduction METHODS used by men and women respectively, where increased exercise (49% vs 40%) (p <0.01), reduced energy intake (45% vs 34%) ns, sauna (39% vs 31%) ns and restricted fluid intake (21,4% vs 24,2%) (p<0,01). 41% of the male and 26% of the female athletes reported that weight cutting had a negative effect on performance (p<0,01). CONCLUSION : The majority of the weight-class athletes competing at international level loose bodyweight prior to competitions, and use similar weight reduction METHODS as College wrestlers. Information is needed to prevent extreme weight loss METHODS among these athletes.
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