Factors Related To Rapid Weight Loss Practices Among Taekwondo Competitors

Abstract

In official tournaments, Taekwondo competitors are allocated into weight classes to create equitable matches in terms of strength, agility, and leverage. However, weight classification systems lead a large proportion of competitors to reduce their body weight in a short amount of time before a tournament in an attempt to compete at the lowest weight class possible to gain an advantage against lighter, smaller, and weaker opponents. To be eligible in lighter weight classes, competitors use a combination of potentially harmful weight loss practices, which may adversely affect one’s physical and mental health. PURPOSE: The present study examined the rapid weight loss practices among Taekwondo competitors. METHODS: Participants were 399 Taekwondo competitors (258 men; mean age ± SD 18.2 ± 5.9 yr) who completed a previously validated questionnaire developed to evaluate rapid weight loss in combat sports athletes, which provides a score. The higher the score obtained, the more aggressive the rapid weight loss practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency analyses. Pearson r correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the association of age, current body mass, years of experience, and magnitude of rapid weight loss (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of Taekwondo competitors reported that have already lost weight to compete. Most athletes reported reductions of up to 5% of body weight (mean ± SD 2.4 ± 2.1%). The reductions usually occurred within 7 ± 4 d. Excessive running, using saunas, food and fluids restrictions, training with plastic or rubberized suits, were cited as the the most common rapid weight loss methods. No significant correlation was found between age, body mass, years of experience, and magnitude of rapid weight loss (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that rapid weight loss is highly prevalent in Taekwondo competitors. The level of aggressiveness in weight management behaviors seems to not be influenced by the age, current body mass, or years of experience.