Rapid Weight Loss Is Not Associated With Competitive Success in Elite Youth Olympic-Style Boxers in Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 860-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Zubac ◽  
Hrvoje Karnincic ◽  
Damir Sekulic

Purpose: To examine the influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on competitive success in elite youth Olympic-style boxers. In addition, this study examined the practice and prevalence of weight reduction, weight-management protocols, and related symptoms in youth boxers from 12 European countries (N = 83, all males, mean [SD] age 17.1 [0.9] y). Methods: The data were collected using an extensive questionnaire on weight cutting and its associated protocols and symptoms prior to highest-level continental championships. Competition results were obtained at follow-up using a dichotomous variable: medal winning vs nonwinning at the European Championships. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that “boxing experience” was significantly related to the criterion competitive outcome (odds ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.66; Nagelkerke R2 = .11), with a higher likelihood of competitive success for more-experienced boxers. Of all the youth boxers, only 25% were included in the RWL group, irrespective of their weight-class stratification. More than 45% of all the youth boxers self-reported the simultaneous combination of different weight-cutting methods that are known to be serious health hazards. Finally, 33% of the boxers experienced muscle weakness as a consequence of RWL. Conclusions: Our study provided evidence of pathogenic weight-management protocols that are widely adopted by youth boxers, and yet the present outcomes showed that RWL did not translate into competitive success in these elite Olympic-style boxers in Europe. Therefore, the authors suggest a mandatory educational program that should simultaneously target all the mentioned issues including both health- and performance-threatening consequences.

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi L. Keller ◽  
Stephen E. Tolly ◽  
Patty S. Freedson

The sport of wrestling often encourages participants to engage in extreme weight loss practices in order to compete in a weight class one to three weight categories below normal weight. This review discusses the prevalence of the problem, methods wrestlers use to accomplish weight loss, and the health and performance consequences of rapid weight loss, with particular emphasis on weight cycling and minimal safe wrestling weight assessment. Some useful and practical recommendations for minimizing extreme weight loss practices are presented. Several state wrestling associations have adjusted their rules and regulations based on recommendations by organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine to reduce the prevalence of the problem. Nevertheless, extreme weight loss continues to be a concern among health professionals, particularly with regard to health and performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 868-873
Author(s):  
Óscar Martínez de Quel ◽  
Ignacio Ara ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Carlos Ayán

Objective: To assess the discriminative ability of several fitness dimensions and anthropometric attributes for forecasting competitive success in female karate athletes. Methods: Fitness and anthropometric data from 98 female junior karatekas obtained during the training camps of the Spanish National Karate Federation between 1999 and 2012 were used. Binary logistic-regression models were built to ascertain whether the set of fitness and anthropometric variables could predict future sporting-performance levels. For this purpose, participants were classified as elite (medalist in World or European Championships in the senior category) or subelite (at least a medalist in Spanish National Championships in cadet or junior but not included in the elite group), according to the results achieved up to 2019. Results: Participants who were subsequently classified as elite karatekas showed significant differences in agility, upper- and lower-body muscle power, and general fitness in comparison with those who were classified as subelite in the senior category. A total of 57 junior female karatekas who were subsequently classified as elite (7) or subelite (50) were included in the binary logistic-regression analysis. Resultant models showed significant capacity to predict karate performance. Conclusions: Assessing physical fitness in junior categories can be a useful resource to determine future karate success. Coaches in this sport should pay special attention to the levels of muscle power and agility shown by their athletes, as both fitness dimensions could be indicators of future sportive success.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Díaz-Pérez ◽  
Ángel Carreño-Ortega ◽  
José-Antonio Salinas-Andújar ◽  
Ángel-Jesús Callejón-Ferre

The aim of this study is to establish a binary logistic regression method to evaluate and select cucumber cultivars (Cucumis sativus L.) with a longer postharvest shelf life. Each sample was evaluated for commercial quality (fruit aging, weight loss, wilting, yellowing, chilling injury, and rotting) every 7 days of storage. Simple and multiple binary logistic regression models were applied in which the dependent variable was the probability of marketability and the independent variables were the days of storage, cultivars, fruit weight loss, and months of evaluation. The results showed that cucumber cultivars with a longer shelf life can be selected by a simple and multiple binary logistic regression analysis. Storage time was the main determinant of fruit marketability. Fruit weight loss strongly influenced the probability of marketability. The logistic model allowed us to determine the cucumber weight loss percentage over which a fruit would be rejected in the market.


1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Horswill

Amateur wrestlers practice weight loss for ergogenic reasons. The effects of rapid weight loss on aerobic performance are adverse and profound, but the effects on anaerobic performance are equivocal Anaerobic performance—strength and power—may be the most relevant type of performance to the wrestler. Maintenance of or even small decrements in anaerobic performance may translate into improvements in performance relative to the weight class, the factor by which wrestlers are matched for competition. During the recovery period between the official weigh-in and competition, wrestlers achieve at least partial nutritional recovery, which appears to benefit performance. Successive bouts of (a) weight loss to make weight and (b) recovery for performance lead to weight cycling. There is speculation that weight cycling may contribute to chronic glycogen depletion, reductions in fat-free weight, a decrease in resting metabolic rate, and an increase in body fat. The latter two would augment the difficulty of losing weight for subsequent weigh-ins. Most research indicates that the suppressed resting metabolic rate with weight loss in wrestlers appears to be transient, but subsequent research is needed for confirmation.


Author(s):  
Jan M. Moore ◽  
Anna F. Timperio ◽  
David A. Crawford ◽  
Cate M. Burns ◽  
David Cameron-Smith

Jockeys are required to maintain very low body weight and precise weight control during competition. This study examined the weight loss and weight management strategies of professional horseracing jockeys in the state of Victoria, Australia. An anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was administered (55% response rate, n=116). Almost half (43%) reported that maintaining riding weight was difficult or very difficult, with 75% routinely skipping meals. In preparation for racing, 60% reported that they typically required additional weight loss, with 81% restricting food intake in the 24 hours prior to racing. Additionally, sauna-induced sweating (29%) and diuretics (22%) were frequently employed to further aid in weight loss prior to racing. These rapid weight loss methods did not differ between the 51% of jockeys who followed a weight management plan compared to those who did not. The impact of these extreme weight loss practices on riding performance and health remains unknown.


Author(s):  
ChanWoo Kim ◽  
Ki Jun Park

Abstract Objectives To report injury patterns associated with training activities of elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes who are expected to represent South Korea in the future. Methods Beginning in 2019, we prospectively collected data on elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes at the Korean Training Center. The athletes were assessed by sports medicine doctors, and data were stratified according to sex, weight class, injury location, injuries during the weight loss period, and weight loss method. We used χ2 tests were used to compare groups. Injury rates were expressed as Poisson rates with 95% confidence intervals. Results There were 117 male and 102 female elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes. The mean weight loss among athletes was 3.37 (±1.23) kg, and the mean duration of weight loss was 7.53 (±3.40) days. In general, all athletes used similar weight loss methods. We recorded 846 injuries (annual average, 3.98 injuries/athlete). In general, female athletes had higher injury rates than their male counterparts. Additionally, the athletes had significantly higher injury rates during weight loss periods than during other periods of training. When all athletes were considered, most injuries occurred in the lower extremities (63.2%), followed by the trunk (14.2%), upper extremities (16.3%), and the head and neck area (6.3%). The injury severity significantly influenced the body regions in weight categories. Conclusion Rapid weight loss is related to the incidence of sports damage in athletes. Most injuries occur during weight loss periods in South Korean elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes. Moreover, the injury rate and injury severity depends on weight class.


Author(s):  
Robert A. Oppliger ◽  
Suzanne A. Nelson Steen ◽  
James R. Scott

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the weight management (WM) behaviors of collegiate wrestlers after the implementation of the NCAA’s new weight control rules. Methods: In the fall of 1999, a survey was distributed to 47 college wrestling teams stratified by collegiate division (i.e., I, II, III) and competitive quality. Forty-three teams returned surveys for a total of 741 responses. Comparisons were made using the collegiate division, weight class, and the wrestler’s competitive winning percentage. Results: The most weight lost during the season was 5.3 kg ± 2.8 kg (mean ± SD) or 6.9% ± 4.7% of the wrestler’s weight; weekly weight lost averaged 2.9 kg ± 1.3 kg or 4.3% ± 2.3% of the wrestler’s weight; post-season, the average wrestler regained 5.5 kg ± 3.6 kg or 8.6% ± 5.4% of their weight. Coaches and fellow wrestlers were the primary influence on weight loss methods; however, 40.2% indicated that the new NCAA rules deterred extreme weight loss behaviors. The primary methods of weight loss reported were gradual dieting (79.4%) and increased exercise (75.2%). However, 54.8% fasted, 27.6% used saunas, and 26.7% used rubber/ plastic suits at least once a month. Cathartics and vomiting were seldom used to lose weight, and only 5 met three or more of the criteria for bulimia nervosa. WM behaviors were more extreme among freshmen, lighter weight classes, and Division II wrestlers. Compared to previous surveys of high school wrestlers, this cohort of wrestlers reported more extreme WM behaviors. However, compared to college wrestlers in the 1980s, weight loss behaviors were less extreme. Conclusions: The WM practices of college wrestlers appeared to have improved compared to wrestlers sampled previously. Forty percent of the wrestlers were influenced by the new NCAA rules and curbed their weight loss practices. Education is still needed, as some wrestlers are still engaging in dangerous WM methods.


Author(s):  
Léna Pélissier ◽  
Gaël Ennequin ◽  
Sarah Bagot ◽  
Bruno Pereira ◽  
Thomas Lachèze ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Danny Glick ◽  
Anat Cohen ◽  
Hagit Gabbay

Online learning has been recognized as a promising approach to improve learning outcomes in developing countries where high-quality learning resources are limited. Concomitant with the boom in online learning, there are escalating concerns about academic accountability, specifically student outcomes as measured by persistence and success. This chapter examines whether evidence of reflection found in student written responses to a series of skill-building videos predicts success in online courses. Using a text analysis approach, this study analyzed 1,871 student responses to four reflection questions at a large online university in Panama. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore whether student persistence was affected by evidence of words associated with significant learning found in student written responses to a set of reflection questions. The results suggest that evidence of words associated with significant learning found in student written responses to reflection questions significantly predicts student persistence in online courses. A Kruskal-Wallis test found median final course grade differences between students who showed no evidence of significant learning in their written responses, and those using 1-13 words associated with significant learning. These results strongly suggest that persistence and performance in online courses are affected by evidence of reflection found in student written responses to reflection questions. These results suggest that a set of reflection tasks assigned early in the course may prove effective in identifying at-risk students.


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