Author Identifier
Colin S. Doherty: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3589-7490
Oliver R. Barley: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8543-9818
Lauren V. Fortington: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2760-9249
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
The Western Australia Combat Sports Commission / Australia Government Research Training Program Scholarship
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the potential association between rapid weight changes and self-reported injury status (presence or absence of injury) 7 days following competitive events among male and female combat sports competitors. Design: A 14-month study of 24 events. Methods: A weight management questionnaire was completed 1-day post-competition, and an injury questionnaire was completed 7 days post-competition. These online questionnaires provided data on body mass and injury status. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse the odds ratios of rapid weight change variables and their impact on athletes' self-reporting as injured or non-injured. Results: There were 172 responses (155 athletes) to both questionnaires (37 females (24 %) and 118 males (76 %)); 88 athletes (51 %) reported no injury, and 84 (49 %) reported injury. Rapid weight loss 7 days (RWL − 7 days) and 24 h (RWL − 24 h) before weigh-ins was 4.9 % ± 3.4 % and 2.6 % ± 2.1 % for females, and 6.1 % ± 3.2 % and 3.0 % ± 1.9 % for males. Mixed effects logistic regression models returned the highest odds ratio for male RWL − 24 h (odds ratio: 1.20, 95 % confidence interval: 1.00–1.43, p = 0.044). This indicates that for a 1 % increase in male RWL − 24 h before official weigh-ins, the likelihood of reporting an injury increases by a factor of 1.2. Conclusions: Male RWL − 24 h before weigh-ins is associated with reporting an injury at 7 days post-competition. Therefore, athletes and coaches should carefully consider and aim to limit pre-competition rapid weight loss to minimise the likelihood of injury.
DOI
10.1016/j.jsams.2025.01.007
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Doherty, C. S., Barley, O. R., & Fortington, L. V. (2025). Is there a relationship between rapid weight changes and self-reported injury in combat sports athletes? A 14-month study of 24 combat sports events. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2025.01.007