ArticleFrontiers in nutrition2025
An alternative structured weight management protocol to rapid weight loss in mixed martial arts: a prospective interventional study of pre-competition weight management strategies in professional athletes.
Article in Frontiers in nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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11 authors.
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Abstract
In Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a combination of combat techniques and physical demands takes center stage. Before competition, many athletes engage in rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies to qualify for lower weight classes, aiming to gain a competitive edge by facing smaller or less physically dominant opponents. This practice is driven by the belief that regaining weight after the official weigh-in enhances strength, power, and resilience during the bout. For MMA athletes, adhering to an evidence-based Weight Management Protocol (WMP), targeting a 10% body weight reduction within 7 days prior to weigh-in, poses a significant challenge. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a structured nutritional strategy, including controlled dietary interventions and fluid manipulation, tailored for athletes seeking to lose 10% of body mass, along with evidence-based recommendations for post-weigh-in recovery. We followed 31 professional MMA athletes (28 males, aged 28 ± 4 years), all with established experience in RWL protocols. The study was divided into two phases: pre- and post-RWL assessments. Athletes achieved a mean weight reduction of 7.25 kg (10.6%) within the 7 days leading up to the weigh-in, conducted 8 days before competition. They demonstrated a mean weight regain of 7.5 kg (11.2%) within 30 h post-weigh-in, indicating effective rehydration and recovery. Starting 7 days before the weigh-in, athletes consumed 7 liters of fluids per day, with intake gradually decreasing. On the day before the weigh-in, they consumed only 0.5 liters. Following adherence to the protocol, 67.7% (21 athletes) secured victory in their bouts. This study presents a structured, athlete-centered nutritional approach for RWL, offering a potentially safer and more effective alternative to uncontrolled practices. Future research should explore the physiological, psychological, and performance-related implications of such methods through larger, randomized controlled trials.
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