Disturbing Weight Cutting Behaviors in Young Combat Sports Athletes: A Cause for Concern

Abstract

Problematic weight cutting behaviors in combat sports have been addressed in the scientific literature since the 1930s (1). Indeed, given the available evidence it may be the case that making weight/weight cycling [i.e., rapid weight loss (RWL) prior to weigh-in followed by rapid weight gain prior to competition] has been practiced in combat sports since weight divisions have been introduced. These practices have led to several fatalities (2), which occurred as a consequence of making weight rather than any sports-related injury. Unfortunately, RWL-related deaths still persist into recent times (3). Existing literature has detailed patterns of weight cycling (e.g., methods, magnitudes, frequency, and prevalence) in adult combat sport athletes across various sports, with data revealing RWL is ubiquitous with prevalence reaching 90% in some combat sports (4). However, less is known about the weight making behaviors of child and adolescent combat sport athletes.