Weight Loss Practices Of Youth Taekwondo Athletes

Abstract

Taekwondo athletes traditionally compete at the lowest weight class possible in order to gain a competitive advantage. 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 weight loss practices of youth Taekwondo athletes. METHODS: Participants were 280 Taekwondo competitors aged 12 to 18 yrs (116 boys; mean age ± SD 15.4 ± 1.6 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 by the competitor, the more aggressive his/her weight management strategies tend to be. Frequency and summary statistics were calculated on all variables. To compare the overall magnitude of weight management behaviours between boys and girls, a Mann-Whitney U Test was conducted with the scores obtained by both genders. A general linear model one-way ANOVA with Tamhane post hoc test for unequal variances was used to compare the scores obtained by the three following groups: regional-, national-, and international-level competitors. The same procedure was used to compare scores between athletes from different weight classes (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of youth Taekwondo athletes reported that have already lost weight to compete. Most of them reported reductions of up to 5% of body weight (mean ± SD 2.2 ± 1.9%). The reductions usually occurred within 8 ± 4 d. Increased exercise and restricted food and/or fluids and training with plastic or rubberized suits, were cited as the most common rapid weight loss strategies. One-third of the athletes reported they took diet pills, diuretics, and/or laxatives to lose weight. No significant differences were found in the score obtained by male versus female as well as by athletes from different weight classes. International- and national-level athletes scored significantly higher in the questionnaire than regional-level athletes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that rapid weight loss is highly prevalent in youth Taekwondo athletes. The level of aggressiveness in weight management behaviors seems to be influenced by the competitive level.