Prevalence, Magnitude, and Methods of Weight Cutting Used by World Class Powerlifters

Abstract

Kwan, K and Helms, E. Prevalence, magnitude, and methods of weight cutting used by world class powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 998–1002, 2022—Powerlifters compete in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, with winners determined by the highest 3-lift total in each weight class. As a weight class–based sport, athletes often compete in classes lower than their habitual weight, using various strategies to make weight. This study's purpose was to examine weight cutting prevalence, magnitude, and methods among 42 male and 22 female powerlifters (25 ± 8 years old; 4 ± 2.2 years of competitive experience) competing at the 2018 International Powerlifting Federation classic world championship. The lifters, 83% of whom cut weight losing an average 2.9 ± 4.3% of body mass, completed a previously validated weight cutting questionnaire. The most frequently used weight cutting methods were gradual dieting (42.18%, 31.25%), fluid restriction after fluid loading (32.8%, 34.4%), restricting fluid ingestion without fluid loading (23.4%, 9.4%), fasting (15.6%, 18.7%), increased activity (9.4%, 24.4%), laxatives (9.4%, 18.7%), sauna (7.8%, 6.3%), diuretics (7.8%, 6.3%), skipping meals (4.7%, 21.9%), and wearing rubber suits (1.6%, 2.6%). Most lifters experienced negative changes in psychological state, with only 9% reporting never experiencing any negative effect on psychological state across the 5 states measured. Lifters reported experiencing fatigue (15.6%, 45.3%), anger (3.2%, 26.6%), feelings of isolation (4.7%, 12.5%), and anxiety (14.1%, 35.95%), and 11 of the 12 lifters who reported a perceived decrement in training performance performed weight cutting. Both weight cutting methods and negative psychological changes experienced were reported as always, sometimes. Therefore, it is vital to provide specific recommendations based on scientific research to improve the efficacy and safety of making weight while minimizing performance decrements.

Rapid Weight Loss Practices Within Olympic Weightlifters

“…The RWL score for the cohort in the current study was 23.6, which is similar to as reported within drug-tested powerlifters (25.1) who were subjected to ,2 hours competition weigh-in (24). However, the score is somewhat lower than reported within IPF international powerlifters (31.5 [19]), who engage in ,2 hours weigh-in regulations, and drug-tested powerlifters subjected to 24 hours precompetition weigh-in (n 5 28, RWLS; 31.1; supplemental data provided by Nolan et al [24]). Research investigating RWL practices within a range of combat sports adopting ,2 hours weigh-in have reported higher RWLS (29.5-31.7) (27).…”

“…The mean habitual and career highest acute body mass loss leading into competition for the cohort of weightlifters was 3.8 and 6.1% of body mass, respectively. This magnitude of habitual and highest pre-weigh-in body mass loss are slightly higher than as reported in cohorts of powerlifters subjected to similar ,2 hours weigh-in conditions (habitual; 2.9%-3%, highest; 5.3-5.4% [19,24]). The magnitude of habitual body mass loss is similar to as reported within various Olympic combat athletes (Boxing; 3.6%, Judo; 3.8%, Taekwondo; 4.6%, Wrestling; 4.9%) subjected to similar weigh-in regulations (,2 hours) (27).…”

“…Within our study, the most common time allocated to acutely reduce body mass before competition was 0-7 days (39%), followed by 8-14 days (33%), with 27% of subjects beginning body mass loss over a longer period of 15 days and over. Comparable RWL studies within cohorts of powerlifters do not state such time allocation data (19,24). However, Wood et al (31) detailed that only 1 and 5 subjects out of a total cohort of 37, attributed undertaking RWL practices less than 1 week and 1-2 weeks respectively before competition,.…”

“…RWL has also been documented within the strength sport powerlifting. Several studies have surveyed RWL practices within competitive powerlifters subjected to ,2 hours of competition weigh-in (19,24,31). Data indicate a relatively high prevalence of precompetition RWL within powerlifters (˜86%), with a moderate habitual body mass loss before competition (˜3%).…”

“…Currently, to the authors' knowledge, there is no research that has surveyed the RWL practices of a cohort of competitive Olympic weightlifters. This is surprising because it could be hypothesized that the prevalence of RWL within weightlifters is high, given the reported rates of weight cutting practices within powerlifting, a sport which features some common physical demands (19,24). Although no research has surveyed the RWL practices with Olympic weightlifters, Durguerian et al (11) investigated voluntary RWL within elite weightlifters before a scheduled experimental physical testing battery involving a simulated competition.…”