Weight Cutting And Professional Mixed-martial Artists

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although mixed martial arts (MMA) has been around for decades, current peer-reviewed literature is limited to individual sports (such as boxing, judo, and wrestling) that compose mixed martial arts (MMA). Within other combat sports, weight cutting practices have included methods of extreme dehydration or food restriction; however data is lacking in professional MMA athletes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to survey professional MMA athletes about their current and past weight cutting methods as well as to investigate who is advising them nutrition and strength and conditioning. METHODS: N=55 male professional mixed martial artists (18-40 yrs) were recruited from every weight class in the states of California and New Mexico. Participants were administered a questionnaire that had been reviewed by a registered dietitian, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and an exercise physiologist. Data presented as percentage of frequency of responses calculated using IBM Analytics, SPSS v24. RESULTS: The top 3 methods MMA fighters use in cutting weight were food restriction (87.3%), increased training (70.9%) and the Sauna (69.1%). Most MMA fighters do not utilize a professional nutritionist/dietitian for advice during either the weight cut (74.5%) or off-season (75.4%). In fact, only 7.3% reported they regularly used a professional nutritionist/dietitian when cutting weight. Fighters are receiving nutrition advice primarily from teammates (78.2%), while only 23.6% are getting any advice, on or off-season from a professional nutritionists. CONCLUSIONS: Professional mixed martial artists report cutting weight for a fight using methods that can be considered dangerous and impair performance. Many reported receiving no professional advice on or off-season from a licensed nutritionist or dietitian.