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Weight loss behaviors in Brazilian mixed martial arts athletes

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the weight loss behaviors among Brazilian professional mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes.

Methods

One hundred and seventy nine Brazilian professional MMA athletes (164 males and 15 females; age: median 25 years, range = 19–37 years) from different regions of the country answered an adapted version of a questionnaire developed to characterize weight loss behavior. In addition, questionnaire scores were associated with extremes in behavior.

Results

All athletes stated that they had engaged in weight loss procedures to make weight for competition and ~ 35% had engaged in weight loss procedures twice in the last season, usually losing a magnitude of up to 10% of their body mass. About 26% started their weight loss procedures in a time span of 30 days prior to competition. When athletes were analyzed by sex and weight classes, no significant differences were found in the questionnaire score. In contrast, international level athletes showed significant differences in the questionnaire score when compared to state (P < 0.001) and national (P < 0.05) level athletes. Athletes also reported always use a combination of gradual diet (64.2%), restricting fluid intake (62.6%), and sweat suits (55.9%) as methods to cut weight. Additionally, athletes reported the usage of diuretics (~ 49%) and laxatives (~ 32%) at least once in their professional MMA carrier. The most influential sources of weight management behaviors were coaches, training partners, and physical trainers.

Conclusion

Brazilian professional MMA athletes commonly undergo weight loss procedures through harmful and illegal methods regardless of sex, weight class, although international level athletes demonstrated weight management behavior that was found to be even more aggressive.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all Brazilian MMA team head coaches that allowed researchers to access their athletes and all athletes who volunteered for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State University of Pará, Belém, Brazil

    Rubens B. Santos-Junior

  2. Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition and Resistance Exercise, GPMENUTF, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil

    Rubens B. Santos-Junior, Bernardo Rafael Bittencourt Bernardi & Tácito P. Souza-Junior

  3. Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA

    Alan C. Utter, Steven R. McAnulty & Tácito P. Souza-Junior

  4. School of Health Sciences, Positivo University, Curitiba, Brazil

    Bernardo Rafael Bittencourt Bernardi

  5. Department of Physical Education, North University of Parana, Londrina, Brazil

    Cosme F. Buzzachera

  6. Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, Sport Department, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Emerson Franchini

Authors
  1. Rubens B. Santos-Junior
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  2. Alan C. Utter
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  3. Steven R. McAnulty
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  4. Bernardo Rafael Bittencourt Bernardi
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  5. Cosme F. Buzzachera
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  6. Emerson Franchini
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  7. Tácito P. Souza-Junior
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rubens B. Santos-Junior.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

The research was approved by the local Ethics Committee (CAAE: 34134514.6.0000.0102) and carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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All subjects signed a written informed consent form.

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Santos-Junior, R.B., Utter, A.C., McAnulty, S.R. et al. Weight loss behaviors in Brazilian mixed martial arts athletes. Sport Sci Health 16, 117–122 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00581-x

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