OP-SM04 Sports Medicine 4

532 14TH ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF SPORT SCIENCE

WEIGHT RULES, WEIGHT REDUCTION, PERFORMANCE AND ATHLETE’S HEALTH. - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

STORNÆS, A. NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF SPORTS SCIENCE

Purpose: The aim of the project was 1) to evaluate current weight rules (weight categories, weight-in schedule) in sports, 2) to review studies aiming to examining the prevalence of weight loss methods practised by elite and national team athletes, 3) to determine health and performance related outcomes related to use of weight loss methods 4) should weight-rules be changed in any of the sports? Methods: The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Sport Discus and EMBASE Ovid. 25 studies from 1993-2007 were included. The studies included elite/national level athletes, surveys of weight loss methods, health and performance related aspects of weight loss methods and possible effects of changing the weight-rules. Results: 1) The weight rules vary in the different sports. 2) Most (64-94%) athletes are dieting and losing weight prior to competition. The average weight reduction is 5-9% of their body weight. Gradual, energy restriction and increased exercise, and rapid weight reduction methods such as sauna, fluid restriction, and sweat suit are reported (by athletes who reduce weight prior to competition). 3) Most studies aiming at examining the health aspects of weight reduction methods have methodological limitations. Rapid and signifi-cant weight reduction seems to have negative health effects, and weight regain seems to reverse the negative effects. The performance related effects seems to be related to the weight loss methods reported and the recovery strategies between weigh-in and competition. The results indicate that rapid, one week or less, or short 6-8 weeks, and a significant weight loss (>5%) is associated with a decrease in performance. However performance level seems to be maintained in those athletes practising longer weight reduc-tion strategies (16-17 weeks), adequate rehydration strategies after weigh-in and by following a diet that is well planned. Finally, this review also indicates that athletes competing in weight class sports more often than other athletes suffer from eating disorders. 4) Rule changes with the intention to be in the benefit of the athletes health is done only in high school/college wrestling in USA and ski jumping. The rule change in ski jumping indicates positive health effects since the number of underweight athletes with BMI <18.5kg/m² were reduced from 22.8% in 2002 to 8.7% in 2004/2005. Conclusions: Research investigating the short and long term health effects of using different weight loss techniques to meet the require-ments in their sports is needed. Athletes who consider weight reduction should receive close guiding related to optimal strategies to meet the requirements. Considering a higher weight class should be discussed with athletes. The weight categories in some sports should be changed. Also the weight rules needs to be further considered, such as weigh-in the same day as competition for all the “Weight-rule sports”.

Weight rules, weight reduction, performance and athlete’s health

-A review of the literature on weight reduction methods used by athletes

in sports with weight rules and an evaluation of weight rules.

Annett V. Stornæs

Norwegian school of sports sciences Department of Sport MedicineMasters project 2007-2008

The aim of the project was to:

1) Evaluate current weight rules

2) Review studies on weight loss methods practised by

elite and national level athletes(4 articles included)

3) Determine health and performance outcomes related

to weight loss methods(20 articles included)

4) Should weight rules be changed in any of the

sports?

(1 article included)

Methods Literature search:

PubMed, SportDiscus, Embase, Medline

Inclusion / exclusion criteria of studies

Participants: Elite or national level

Sports with weight rules

International sports – not intercollegiate sports

Design: Survey

Experimental

Outcomes: Weight-loss methods

Health aspects

Performance related effects

Weight rules

Number of weight categories

Kgs between each weight category

10 to 12 kg between weight categories – heavy weight categories men(Taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting)

6 to 10 kg between weight categories for women

(weightlifting 6kg, judo 8kg, Taekwondo 10kg).

Lowest weight category women: -46 (boxing) and men: -48 (boxing)

Weight-in time before competition

Number of weight controls

Sports Number of weight categories Number of weight controls Weight-ins before comp

Wrestling(FILA)

♂: 7 ♀: 7 1 (one competition day)DAY BEFORE

LASTS 30 min.

Judo(IJF)

♂: 7 ♀: 7 1 (one competition day)Samme dag.

Min 2 timer før konkurranse, varer 1 time

Taekwondo(WTF)

♂: Not in Olympics: 8 Olympics: 4♀: Not in Olympics: 8 Olympics: 4

1 (one competition day) DAY BEFORE

Jujutsu(JJIF)

♂: 7 ♀: 7 1 DAY BEFORE

Karate(WKF)

♂: 6 ♀: 3 1 (one competition day) DAY BEFORE, OR SAME DAY

Boxing(AIBA)

♂: 11 ♀: 13 EVERY competition day SAME DAYCompetitions starts 3 hrs after

Kickboxing(WAKO)

Full ♂: 12 ♀: 7cont

EVERY competition dayor min 3 DAY BEFORE, OR

ON THE MORNING SAME DAY

Competitions starts 3 hrs afterLight- / ♂: 9 ♀: 6semi

1

Weightlifting(IWF)

♂: 8 ♀: 7 1 (one competition day) SAME DAYStarts 2 hrs before comp, lasts 1 hrs.

Powerlifting(IPF)

♂: 10 ♀: 91 SAME DAY

Starts no earlier than 2hrs before. Lasts 1 ½ hrs.

Light weight rowing(FISA)

♂ ♀: heavy- and light weight EVERY competition day and before every each event the athletes participates

SAME DAY

Sailing(ISAF)

♀: Yngling (3 athletes) total weight <=205kg

EVERY competition day SAME DAY

♂: Star (2athletes) Crew weight =

([100 – Skippers vekt] /1,5) +100Weight-ins before competition.

Weight controls during or after competition are optional. Organizing committee decides.

Ski jumping(FIS)

A formula based on BMI to determine the length of ski that an athlete may use in relation to height/weight relationship. Maximum ski length is 146% of body height.

Competitors may be weighed after each qualification and scoring jump.

Weight reduction methods

4 studies (1996-2006; n=18 to n=359)

Most common methods:

Gradual/chronic Energy restriction / dieting

♂ 45 to 77,7% and ♀ 34 to 94,1%

Exercise more♂ 29 to 49% and ♀ 40 to 52%

73% light weight rowers (Morris & Payne, 1996)

Rapid/acute Fluid restriction

♂ 21,4 to 63% and ♀ 24,2 to 88,2%

Sauna♂ 31 to 56% and ♀ 31 to 58,8%

10% light weight rowers (Morris & Payne, 1996)

Sweat-/rubber suits♂ 17,2 to 41% and ♀ 16 to 48%

Garthe &

Sundgot-Borgen, 2006

Garthe et al, 2005

Slater et al, 2005a

Morris og Payne, 1996

Weight reduction and sports performance:

Studies have used different weight loss strategies, time

periods and performance outcomes

Rapid (<one week) / short (6-8 weeks) and significant weight loss (>5%)

negative outcomes/decreased sports performance

Longer weight reduction strategies (16-17weeks), adequate

rehydration strategies and well planned diet

the performance level seems to be maintained

(Slater et al, 2007; Slater et al, 2006; Kotedakis et al 1994; Mourir et al, 1997)

Gradual weight reduction should be preferred over rapid

(Walberg Rankin, 2006; Koutedakis et al 1994; Fogelholm et al 1993)

Weight reduction and athletes health:

Some research on effects of weight reduction on athletes health:

Bone metabolism (Proteau et al 2006a; Prouteau et al, 2006b)

Immune system/immune function (Imai et al, 2002)

Reproductive hormones (female light weight rowers – Morris et al, 1999)

Rapid and significant weight reduction seems to have negative health effects Weight regain seems to reverse the negative effects

Eating disorders indications that athletes in sports with weight categories more often than

other athletes suffer from ED (Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, 2004)

What will happen with athletes which weight cycles after their carrier?

One Finnish study on former weight category athletes and other athletes

(Saarni et al, 2006 . Weight cycling of athletes and subsequent weight gain in middleage. Int J Obes. 2006; 30: 1639-1644.)

Rule changes?

One study – ski jumping (world cup athletes)

Other studies – intercollegiate wrestling USA (Alderman et al, 2004)

Technical changes and new equipment

lower body weight to perform longer jumps

Average body weight was reduced with almost 10kg from 1970’s to 2002

BMI units – reduced with an average 4 (23,6 til 19,4 kg/m²)

New regulations:

Reduced the number of athletes with BMI <18.5 kg/m²

The number of underweight jumpers (BMI <18.5 kg/m²)

reduced from 23% (2002) to 9% (2004/2005)

Müller et al. Underweight in Ski Jumping: The Solution of the Problem. Int J Sports Med. 2006; 27: 926–934

Summary

Health effects

No conclusions at this point – but risk factors

Energy and food restriction both in and out of season

combined with acute weight loss before competition

Weight rules

Are the rules made for the best interest for the athletes health and performance or for the organizing committees?

”The tradition” still goes on

”Normal” part of being an athlete in weight category and

weight rule sports

More research is clearly needed

New weight rules? Always resistance to changes?

Further discussions are needed

BMI? (ski jumping)

Body composition measures

Emphasize knowledge, education and attitude

“Just as with all changes, some will find these changes

inconvenient at first, but we believe they are in the best

long-term interest of both student-athletes and the sport

itself”(National Collegiate Athletics Association ( NCAA), USA press release, 13 April 1998)

Thank you for

your

attention

and a special thanks to my supervisor Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen

References

• Alderman BL, Landers DM, Carlson J, et al. Factors related to rapid weight loss practices among international-style wrestlers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004; 36: 249-252

• Burge CM, Carey MF, Payne WR. Rowing performance, fluid balance, and metabolic function following dehydration and rehydration. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993; 25: 1358-1364.

• Fogelholm GM, Koskinen R, Laakso J, et al. Gradual and rapid weight loss: effects on nutrition and performance in male athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993; 25: 371-377.

• Garthe I. Vektregulering blant landslagsutøvere i vektklasseidretter i Norge - En undersøkelse gjort av Olympiatoppen for å kartlegge vektreduksjonsmetoder og rutiner hos norske vektklasseutøvere. Rapport 2005, Olympiatoppen.

• Garthe I , Sundgot-Borgen J. Weight Loss METHODS and Nutritional Routines in International Weight-Class Athletes. (Abstrakt). Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006; 38 (5): S70

• Imai T, Seki S, Dobashi H, et al. Effect of weight loss on T-cell receptor-mediated T-cell function in elite athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002; 34: 245-250.

• Koutedakis Y, Pacy PJ, Qevedo RM, et al. The Effects of Two Different Periods of Weight-Reduction on Selected Performance Parameters in Elite Lightweight Oarswoman. Int J Sports Med. 1994; 15: 472-477.

• Morris FL, Payne WR, Wark JD. Prospective decrease in progesterone concentrations in female lightweight rowers during the competition season compared with the off season: a controlled study examining weight loss and intensive exercise. Br J Sports Med. 1999; 33: 417-422.

• Morris FL, Payne WR. Seasonal variations in the body composition of lightweight rowers. Br J Sports Med 1996; 30: 301-304

• Mourier A, Bigard AX, de Kerviler E, et al. Combined Effects of Caloric Restriction and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Body Composition and Exercise Performance in Elite Wrestlers. Int J Sports Med. 1997; 18: 47-55.

• Müller W, Gröschl W, Müller R, et al. Underweight in Ski Jumping: The Solution of the Problem. Int J Sports Med. 2006; 27: 926–934

• National Collegiate Athletics Association, USA. NCAA, press release, 13 April 1998.

• Prouteau S, Pelle A, Collomp K, et al. Bone Density in Elite Judoists and Effects of Weight Cycling on Bone Metabolic Balance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006a; 38: 694-700.

• Prouteau S, Benhamou L, Courteix. Relationships between serum leptin and bone markers during stable weight, weight reduction and weight regain in male and female judoists. Eur J Endocrinol. 2006b; 154: 389-395

• Saarni SE, Rissanen A, Sarna S, et al. Weight cycling of athletes and subsequent weight gain in middleage. Int J Obes. 2006; 30: 1639-1644.

• Slater GJ, Rice AJ, Sharpe K, et al. Influence of Nutrient Intake after Weigh-In on Lightweight Rowing Performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007; 39: 184-191.

• Slater GJ, Rice AJ, Tanner R, et al.

• Acute weight loss followed by an aggressive nutritional recovery strategy has little impact on on-water rowing performance. Br J Sports Med. 2006a; 40: 55-59.

• Sundgot-Borgen J, Torstveit MK. Prevalence of eating disorders in elite athletes is higher than in the general population. Clin J Sport Med. 2004; 14: 25-32.

• Steen SN, Brownell KD. Patterns of weight loss and regain in wrestlers: has the tradition changed? Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990; 22:762-768.

Weight rulesSport Weight categories

Boxing(AIBA)

♂: -48kg, -51kg, -54kg, -57kg, -60kg, -64kg, -69kg, -75kg, -81kg, -91kg, +91kg

♀: -46kg, -48kg, -50kg, -52kg, -54kg, -57kg, -60kg, -63kg, -66kg, -70kg, -75kg, -80kg, -86kg

Wrestling(FILA)

♂: 50-55kg, -60kg, -66kg, -74kg, -84kg, -96kg, 96-120kg

♀: 44-48kg, -51kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -67kg, 67-72kg

Judo(IJF)

♂: -60 kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg

♀: -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg, +78kg

Taekwondo(WTF)

♂: Ikke OL: -54kg, -58kg, -62kg, -67kg, -72kg, -78kg, -84kg, +84kgOL: -58kg, -68kg, -80kg, +80kg

♀: Ikke OL: -47kg, -51kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -67kg, -72kg, +72kg

OL: -49kg, -57kg, -67kg, +67kg

Jujutsu(JJIF)

♂: -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg

♀: -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg, +78 kg

Karate(WKF)

♂: -60kg, -65kg, -70kg, -75kg, -80kg, +80kg♀: -53kg, -60kg, +60kg

Kickboxing(WAKO)

Fullkont

♂: -51kg, -54kg, -57kg, -60kg, -63,5kg, -67kg, -71kg, -75kg, -81kg, -86kg, -91kg, +91kg

♀: -48kg, -52kg, -56kg, -60kg, -65kg, -70kg, +70kg

Lett-/ semi kont

♂: -57kg, -63kg, -69kg, -74kg, -79kg, -84kg, -89kg, -94kg, +94kg ♀: -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -65kg, -70kg, +70kg

Weightlifting(IWF)

♂: -56kg, -62kg, -69kg, -77kg, -85kg, -94kg, -105kg,+105kg♀: -48kg, -53kg, -58kg, -63kg, -69kg, -75kg, +75kg

Powerlifting(IPF)

♂: -56kg, -60kg, -67,5kg, -75kg, -82,5kg, -90kg, 100kg, -110kg, -125kg, +125kg

♀: -48kg, -52kg, -56kg, -60kg, -67,5kg, -75kg, -82,5kg, -90kg, +90kg