By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net)
Rapid weight loss is not healthy. Not for regular people who walk around every day, but especially not for athletes who train in combat-sport related systems. Unfortunately – it’s long been the practice of boxers, kickboxers and MMA fighters to change their weight in order to be able to compete. Even worse, this practice is not only common, but it is often encouraged by trainers, coaches and fighter managers.
In order to “make weight” fighters often use unsafe methods that will also cause them to get dehydrated. When you do this, you’re in danger of overloading your cardiovascular system, impairing your thermo-regulatory system, depleting your store of glycogen stores, and causing hypoglycemia, and loss of body protein, electrolytes and vitamins.
Fighters do this to make weight – and then they go fight.
Losing weight so quickly is called “rapid body mass loss” or “RBML”. Doing this is undoubtedly detrimental to one’s health, and in fact several studies have revealed there is a negative impact of RBML on an athlete’s performance. (Horswill, 1992; Oppliger et al., 1996; Wilmore, 2000.)
It’s important to note that in spite of such research, there are other studies which have shown some performance characteristics do not change or may even improve! (Fogelholm et al., 1993; Greiwe et al., 1998; Kraemer et al., 2001; Serfass et al., 1984; Ööpik et al., 2002a; Rankin et al., 1996; Umeda et al., 2004; Webster et al., 1990 and Ahlman and Karvonen, 1961). But this discrepancy was a result of many varying factors. For example, different performance tests were employed in these studies, the duration of the recovery period allowed between RBML, and the measurement of performance have varied. Finally, the extent of the body mass loss achieved and the methods used for inducing RBML also differed. So it’s not accurate to use both studies, since the factors were so varied.
For the purposes of this article, however, we’re going to discuss the “acute effects of the self-selected regimen of RBML on muscle performance and metabolic response to 3-min intermittent intensity exercise in experienced male combat sports athletes” as assessed by the study. (Unfortunately this study only included male athletes, so at this time, and until the same study is conducted on female fighters, this information pretty much only applies to male fighters.)
The researchers recorded each subject’s body mass, completed muscle performance tests, biochemical analyses and statistical analysis. The result? On average, the subjects reduced their body mass by 5.1 ± through a “gradual reduction of energy and fluid intake and mild sauna procedures. The latter was employed only during the last 24 hours of the period given for body mass reduction.” Additionally, “subjects followed their usual training schedule during the RBML period spending 1.5 – 2 hours per day in technical drill, training matches and developing sports specific physical abilities.”
The subjects achieved RBML by using their own, regularly used, RBML regimen (such as restriction of energy and fluid intake, thermal dehydration and exercise). The study found each athlete impaired their muscle performance in 3-min intermittent intensity exercises. Additionally, their RBML induced an increase in blood urea concentration in these experienced combat sports athletes. Increases in blood urea concentration can cause a variety of illnesses such as gout, kidney stones and more. Finally, the results of changes to their peak torque measurements of the knee extensor muscles, when the torque was measured after RBML, showed it was “significantly lower” than before RBML was used.
So pretty much the study found that rapid body mass loss on an athlete can greatly reduce the torque of a fighter’s knee extensor muscles – which means kicking can be a problem. Bummer for Muay Thai and karateka fighters – pretty much takes away one of their most effective tools. RBML can also cause muscle deterioration and severe dehydration. Sever dehydration can have adverse affects on the brain such as cell death and seizures. In fact, researchers in England concluded that dehydration causes a reduction of fluid in the brain compartments – so much so that sportsmen and women are at increased risk of brain damage from contusion injury (bruising) and internal hemorrhage after head injuries. Hmmm – wonder if the head ever gets hit in MMA? Yeah – exactly.
In light of this research, and considering the permanent damage repeated RBML can cause to a fighter, I think it’s time to do something really radical: officials need to insist a fighter choose his/her weight and stay there. If a fighter wants to change to a different weight class – no worries. They can do it, but it needs to be done under a physician’s supervision, over time, and that step should be taken with the goal of permanence, not just to make weight for an upcoming fight. I know – some detractors will say that if a fighter chooses to cut weight then that’s their choice and none of our business. But there comes a time when, if a fighter is being pushed into cutting weight to please their trainer, promoter or manager in order to make weight for a fight – someone needs to stand as their advocate. Who speaks for their safety then? That’s why it’s important some sort of policy to provide for their health is essential.
Interestingly, as much as this research was not conducted on women, one of the conclusions found by the researchers was that the “recent changes in the rules of some events (wrestling), including shortening of the duration of a match, have not reduced the likelihood of the occurrence of a negative impact of rapid body mass loss on athletes’ performance capacity.” So you know how people are always saying the reason for 3-minute rounds for women is because it could be unhealthy for them? Yeah – it pretty much doesn’t really apply, even for those who have employed RBML. Sorry Dr. Benjamin.
