Acute and Chronic Weight Reduction Techniques in Individual Combat Sports

Individual combat sports are structured around weight-class systems intended to promote fairness and athlete safety. Despite this objective, many athletes engage in intentional weight reduction to compete in lower weight categories, seeking perceived competitive advantages. The present study explores common weight reduction strategies employed by individual combat sport athletes and examines the prevalence of acute and chronic weight loss practices. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from athletes representing boxing, wrestling, judo, taekwondo, kickboxing, and Muay Thai using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to identify dominant methods, timing of weight reduction, and influencing factors. Findings indicate widespread reliance on rapid weight-cutting techniques, including dehydration, food restriction, and increased training volume, alongside longer-term nutritional manipulation. While athletes reported perceived performance benefits, many also experienced negative physiological and psychological effects. These results highlight the need for evidence-based education and the development of safe weight management guidelines to protect athlete health and optimize performance in individual combat sports.