Background and objective: The use of suboptimal weight loss strategies in order to reach specific weight ranges as observed in combat sport disciplines can give rise to severe health problems. However, particular aspects regarding management of weight category comparing three sport disciplines remain to be investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to obtain information regarding the weight loss strategies that competitors performed before a tournament. Materials and Methods: This article describes the most common dietary-nutritional strategies used by 140 national university male competitors of judo (n = 52), karate (n = 40) and taekwondo (n = 48) in order to achieve a specific weight, according to the rapid weight loss questionnaire (RWLQ) and the EAT-27 questionnaire. Results: Around 50% of participants were not involved in a weight loss process. Among the remaining participants, we considered three periods for weight reduction: less than 1 week (35% in judo, 8% in karate and 19% in taekwondo), less than 1 month (17% in judo, 15% in karate and 26% in taekwondo) and more than 1 month (0% in judo, 5% in karate and 21% in taekwondo). Severe fasting, focused on food/water restriction, was the most commonly used strategy, being more frequent in judo players. Light weight judo practitioners generally lost 2–5 kg before the contest. One third of participants avoided carbohydrate consumption when performing food restriction. Finally, individuals that reduced weight in the last week seemed to develop an unhealthy psychological relationship with food. Conclusion: All these aspects could be particularly relevant, providing information regarding how competitors manage basic nutritional concepts that guide dieting strategies. This information is relevant to prepare future educational interventions in the area of nutrition for competitors, coaches and technical staff.

Weight control in contact sports implies an additional stress to competitors, mostly when strategies to reduce it are inadequate. The present work analyzes if a correct diet planning could decrease anxiety in competitors. The validated CSAI-2 questionnaire was used before and after the weight control with judo, karate and taekwondo competitors from both genders following a free diet vs those that followed a diet plan. Results indicated that the intensity for somatic and cognitive anxiety in the pre-weight event was lower in male and female competitors following a controlled diet. Regarding gender, no differences in anxiety intensity and directionality were observed between individuals following a free diet in the pre-weight event. Regarding sport discipline, judo and taekwondo practitioners presented higher somatic and cognitive anxiety than karate competitors did. Altogether, the correct control of the corresponding weight throughout the sports season decreases anxiety and increases self-confidence, allowing to the participants to focus on the contest objectives.

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido validar al contexto español la Escala de Creencias Implícitas de habilidad Cuestionario-2 (Biddle, Wang, Chatzisarantis, y Spray, 2003). Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de 1008 estudiantes de educación física con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 17 años. Se realizaron análisis de correlación, análisis factoriales exploratorios, análisis de la consistencia interna y un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Los resultados señalaron que la escala fue válida y fiable para su utilización con adolescentes en clases de educación física. Además, se buscaron evidencias externas de validez utilizando la práctica físico-deportiva. Los datos obtenidos mostraron diferencias significativas entre las creencias implícitas de habilidad (de entidad e incremental) y la práctica físico-deportiva, encontrando relación positiva entre ésta y las creencias incrementales.Palabras clave: aprendizaje; talento; propiedades psicométricas; educación física. R e s u m e nCorrespondencia/correspondence: Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, España E-mail: j.moreno@umh.esThe objective of this work has been to validate the Spanish version of the Conceptions of the Nature of Athletic Ability Questionnaire-2 (Biddle, Wang, Chatzisarantis, and Spray, 2003). A sample of 1008 physical education students aged 15 to 17 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were calculated. In addition, analysis of reliability and simple correlations were employed. External evidences of validity were assessed using the physical -sport practice. The results indicated that the scale was valid and reliable for its utilization with Spanish teenagers involved in physical education classes, and that the entity and incremental beliefs of ability present differences depending on the physical -sports practice, finding positive relationships between the incremental beliefs and the physicalsports practice.Key words: learning; talent; physical properties; physical education. A b s t r a c t