The results of a survey of elite-level judo players ranked within the top 150 in the world about rapid weight loss before competition were reported. Ninety-six percent of respondents used some form of weight loss strategy, with higher-ranked athletes experiencing fewer negative effects from weight loss than lower-ranked athletes, more support from nutritionists and doctors, and starting weight loss at a young age. It is said that it was found that the rank was significantly low for players who were.
Exploring the reality of rapid pre-match weight loss (RWL) in elite-level judokas
Needless to say, judo is a martial art that originated in Japan and became an official Olympic sport from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Although it is a traditional martial art that aims to “softly overwhelm hardness”, a weight class system has been established to ensure fairness as a martial art, and many judo athletes (judokas) have an advantageous way of carrying out the match. Therefore, rapid weight loss (RWL) is performed before competition. However, it has often been pointed out that RWL before a martial arts match has adverse health concerns, and many studies report that it does not always have an advantage on performance.
The paper introduced here is a study by Slovenian researchers investigating the actual state of RWL and its impact on performance among judo players ranked within the top 150 in the world rankings.
Asking elite athletes around the world for their cooperation in a survey after 6 countries
This survey was web-based. From January 7th to March 7th, 2020, cooperation in answering was called for through the official websites of judo-related organizations and several competitions. The questionnaire was prepared in six languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Japanese.
The eligibility criteria for answering is that both men and women must be within the world’s top 150 rankings in each weight class. Athletes in the heaviest weight classes (men’s +100kg, women’s +78kg) are not included as they do not require rapid weight loss (RWL). Of the 1,800 eligible individuals (six classes each for men and women), 257 began responding to the questionnaire, and valid responses were obtained from 138, or 7.7% of all subjects.
96.4% of respondents are on rapid weight loss (RWL)
Of the 138 participants, 133 (96.4%), excluding 5 (3.6%), reported some form of rapid weight loss (RWL). These 133 included players from all five continents (109 from the European Federation, 10 each from the Asian Federation, 10 from the Pan-American Federation, 2 each from the African Federation and Oceania).
By gender, 30.1% are male, with 15.8% ranked within the top 20, 27.1% ranked 21st to 50th, 20.3% ranked 51st to 100th, and 36.8% ranked 101st to 150th.
Higher ranked players in the world are less negatively impacted by RWL
Below is a partial analysis of the results of 133 people undergoing rapid weight loss (RWL).
Information acquisition route, weight loss rate, weight loss method
Criteria for rapid weight loss (RWL) and nutritional strategies were 98% from own experience, 80% from other athletes, 75% from coaches, 73% from internet, 66% from books, 64% from nutritionists, 29% from doctors.
Average weight loss was 5.8±2.3%, with a maximum of 13.0% and a minimum of 0.7%.
Means include intake restriction 97%, food change 94%, water restriction 88%, use of sauna suit 85%, increased training volume 79%, sauna/hot bath 76%, skipping/fasting 71%.
Effect of rapid weight loss (RWL), rapid weight gain (RWG)
The most common negative effect caused by RWL was a sense of decreased energy (91%), followed by poor concentration, poor decision making, depressed mood, sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and fainting/collapse. . On the other hand, many of the positive effects included improved concentration and decisiveness, as well as increased self-confidence and willingness to attack.
Negative effects of rapid weight gain (RWG) after passing weigh-in included overeating in 57%, gastrointestinal symptoms in 51%, and dry mouth on game day despite starting water intake. was cited by 49%.
Impact of rapid RWL by sex, weight class, age, and world rank
The results of comparing the effects of RWL stratified by sex, weight class, age, world rank, etc. are as follows. Although not shown below, the positive effect of RWL was not significantly different in all stratified analyses.
gender
There were no significant gender differences in the extent of weight loss with RWL, negative effects of RWL, physician/nutritionist support, or age at initiation of RWL.
by weight class
The range of RWL weight loss was greater for lightweight than heavyweight athletes (p = 0.030). There were no significant differences between weight groups for other factors examined (negative effects of RWL as described above, physician/nutritionist support, etc.).
by age group
Negative effects of RWL were reported more often in younger players than in older players (p=0.010). Older players also ranked higher in the world rankings (p=0.000). There were no significant age-group differences in the extent of weight loss on RWL or physician/nutritionist support.
By age group starting RWL
Players who started RWL before age 16 reported more negative effects of RWL than those who started RWL after age 19 (p=0.014). Players who started RWL at age 19 or older ranked higher in the world rankings than players who started RWL at age 16 or younger (p=0.004). There was no significant difference in the extent of weight loss with RWL or physician/nutritionist support by the age group at which RWL was started.
By world rank
Higher-ranked players in the world reported fewer negative effects of RWL than lower-ranked players (p=0.002). Athletes with high world rankings were more likely to receive support from doctors and nutritionists (p=0.041). In addition, the highest ranked players in the world were older when they started RWL (p=0.020). The range of weight loss in RWL was not significantly different by world rank.
Starting RWL early in a career negatively impacts long-term success
The authors position this study as “the first study to investigate the RWL of elite-level judoka on all five continents in the world,” and say, “it can provide valuable information for the martial arts community, especially for coaches.” In conclusion, they conclude that “appropriate weight management and timely initiation of the RWL strategy may contribute to success at the elite level in a judoka’s career.”
The discussion also noted, “There is clear evidence that starting RWL early in an athlete’s career adversely affects long-term success. It’s an important message,” he said.
Documentary information
The original title is “Rapid weight loss among elite-level judo athletes: methods and nutrition in relation to competition performance.”[JIntSocSportsNutr2022Jul13;19(1):380-396]
Read the original here (Informa UK)
Copy the URL and title of this article
Related article
【 Sports Nutrition Web Editorial Department 】
