ACSM Expert Consensus Statement on Weight Loss in Weight-Category Sports

Abstract

Weight-category sports are defined by the requirement of a weigh-in before competition to provide performance equity and reduced injury risks by eliminating size discrepancies. Athletes in these sports try to gain a theoretical advantage by competing in weight divisions that are lower than their day-to-day body mass (BM), using a combination of chronic strategies (body-fat losses) and acute manipulations over a period of hours to days before weigh-in (“making weight”). Strategies to support safer practices include minimal competition weight classification based on preseason body composition, reductions in the period between weigh-in and competition, and prohibition of unhealthy weight loss techniques. At an individual level, expert guidance by a sports nutrition professional can help an athlete to establish a pragmatic and long-term approach to BM management, recognizing the nuances of their sport, to achieve favorable outcomes for both health and performance.

Nutritional Considerations for Female Athletes in Weight Category Sports

“…Common to all contexts, this phase of nutrition support should centre around rehydration and endogenous glycogen content restoration, whilst also considering the potential for gastrointestinal distress. Given a thoroughly detailed examination of this area is beyond the scope of this article, readers are again encouraged to see Reale, Slater, and Burke (2017b) and Burke et al (2021) for an in-depth overview, which provides practical considerations pertinent to refeeding and recovery in weight making athletes of both sexes.…”

Weight cycling in combat sports: revisiting 25 years of scientific evidence

“…Recently, the ACSM published the most comprehensive position statement on weight loss yet [ 10 ], this time extending its recommendations to other weight-sensitive sports (lightweight rowing, horse racing, skiing, skating, and gymnastics). In this publication, we will focus on weight loss recommendations pertaining only to combat sports.…”

“…Experts have suggested that RWL comprising up to 2–3% body mass has insignificant drawbacks, particularly if an optimal recovery period is provided. However, a weight loss ˃3% body mass may have substantial negative effects on both health and performance as outlined within this position statement [ 10 ]. It appears that athletes are cognizant that RWL may hinder their overall performance but they consistently engage in RWL to compete in a lower weight class, believing they may have a physiological or psychological advantage, especially when there is substantial time to recover and even retain pre-RWL weight [ 10 ].…”

“…However, a weight loss ˃3% body mass may have substantial negative effects on both health and performance as outlined within this position statement [ 10 ]. It appears that athletes are cognizant that RWL may hinder their overall performance but they consistently engage in RWL to compete in a lower weight class, believing they may have a physiological or psychological advantage, especially when there is substantial time to recover and even retain pre-RWL weight [ 10 ]. It is not surprising then that adolescent athletes in weight-class sports, including combat sports, compete in a class below their natural physiological body weight [ 11 ] with some combat athletes making efforts not to gain weight to remain in a lower weight category for a period of two years or longer [ 12 ], thereby suppressing natural growth and development normally occurring in childhood and adolescence.…”

A 5-Year Analysis of Weight Cycling Practices in a Male World Champion Professional Boxer: Potential Implications for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease

“…Combat athletes compete in designated weight classes that are intended to promote fair competition by matching opponents of similar stature and body mass. As such, these athletes typically engage in chronic (CWL) and acute weight loss (AWL) strategies (referred to as "making weight") that largely comprise prolonged periods of energy restriction and acute episodes of dehydration (Burke et al, 2021). When making weight, combat athletes often partake in training camps that typically range in duration from 4-12 weeks where a large part of the training period is completed in conditions indicative of sub-optimal energy availability (Kasper et al, 2019;Langan-Evans et al, 2020;Morton et al, 2010).…”