Principles of Rapid Weight Loss in Female Sambo Athletes.

Nikola Todorović,Šime Veršić,Borislav Tapavički,Valdemar Štajer,Jovan Kuzmanović,Andrea Zubnar,Damir Sekulić,Sergey Tabakov,Patrik Drid,Marijana Ranisavljev

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111356

Abstract

In combat sports, competitors are separated into weight divisions, to create equality between the athletes. Consequently, rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common practice in combat sports. Although the methods used to induce RWL are similar among athletes, currently, there are limited data concerning the RWL methodologies used by sambo athletes. Therefore, this study aimed at determining RWL procedures among female sambo athletes. Participants in the study were top-level athletes competing at the World Sambo Championship held in Novi Sad. A total sample of 47 female sambo athletes, of whom 24 were seniors (27.3 ± 4 year/age, 1.61 ± 0.09 m/height, 61.8 ± 8.87 kg/weight) and 23 juniors (18.7 ± 0.8 year/age, 1.66 ± 0.07 m/height, 63.7 ± 12.1 kg/weight), were examined in the study. To determine RWL methods, data were collected through a standardized questionnaire. As a result, 88.7% of the female sambo athletes declared that they intentionally cut their weight before the competition. The most commonly used methods were gradual dieting, followed by sauna, fluid restriction, and skipping meals. The most considerable influence on the RWL strategies of athletes came from coaches and personal trainers, while physicians and dietitians were far less influential. The results obtained from this representative sample highlight the most common practices concerning weight cutting prior to competition among females. Therefore, there is a need to inform and educate both athletes and coaches about the potentially harmful effects of RWL in combat sports.

Highlights

Sambo is a combat sport developed in the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 20th century
Earlier studies revealed that nearly 90% of male and female judo athletes engage in rapid weight loss (RWL) before competitions [4]
This study aims to identify the methodologies of RWL, with the main hypothesis set to define the most widespread methods and sources of influence used by female sambo athletes and to determine any differences in RWL

Summary

Introduction

Sambo is a combat sport developed in the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 20th century. After 80 years of existence and development, Sambo received attention and recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Weight categories have been used for centuries to equalize competition in various different sports, especially in sports for which the competitors’ physical strength is perceived as a crucial factor in their ultimate success. Competitors are separated into weight divisions in an attempt to create equality between the athletes [3]. Athletes try to cut (reduce) their weight because of competitive and tactical advantages or psychological reasons. Many athletes attempt to achieve their target weight via a combination of harmful methods, including

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