Rapid weight gain and weight differential predict competitive success in 2100 professional combat-sport athletes.

BARIBEAU, Vincent, KIRK, Christopher, LE, Danny Q., BOSE, Arjun, MUELLER, Ariel, FRENCH, Duncan, SARGE, Todd, LANGAN-EVANS, Carl, REALE, Reid and MURUGAPPAN, Kadhiresan R. (2023). Rapid weight gain and weight differential predict competitive success in 2100 professional combat-sport athletes. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 18 (1), 85-94.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0204
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0204

Abstract

Purpose: Combat-sport athletes commonly undergo rapid weight loss prior to prebout weigh-in and subsequently rapid weight gain (RWG) prior to competition. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of RWG and weight differential (WD) between opponents on competitive success. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing events held between 2015 and 2019. The primary outcome was RWG (relative and absolute) between weigh-in and competition stratified by bout winners and losers. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationships among bout outcome, RWG, and WD between competitors on the day of their bout. Results: Among 708 MMA athletes included, winners regained more relative body mass (8.7% [3.7%] vs 7.9% [3.8%], P < .01) than losers. In 1392 included male boxers, winners regained significantly more relative body mass (8.0% [3.0%] vs 6.9% [3.2%], P < .01) than losers. Each percentage body mass increase resulted in a 7% increased likelihood of victory in MMA and a 13% increase in boxing. The relationship between RWG and competitive success remained significant in regional and male international MMA athletes, as well as boxers. WD predicted victory in international mixed martial artists and boxers. WD predicted victory by knockout or technical knockout in international MMA athletes and regional boxers. Conclusion: This analysis of combat-sport athletes indicates that RWG and WD influence competitive success. These findings raise fair-play and safety concerns in these popular sports and may help guide risk-mitigating regulation strategies.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans; Weight Gain; Retrospective Studies; Boxing; Martial Arts; Male; Athletes; boxing; mixed martial arts; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Weight Gain; Martial Arts; Athletes; Boxing; 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1116 Medical Physiology; 1701 Psychology; Sport Sciences; 3202 Clinical sciences; 3208 Medical physiology; 4207 Sports science and exercise
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0204
Page Range: 85-94
SWORD Depositor: Symplectic Elements
Depositing User: Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2023 12:18
Last Modified: 11 Oct 2023 17:46
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/31352

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