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Weight cycling in adolescent Taekwondo athletes
Mohsen Kazemi1, Alima Rahman, Marco De Ciantis
1Associate Professor, Faculty of Clinical Education, Research and Graduate Studies, Sports Sciences Residency program coordinator, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Tel: 416-482-2340, 416-385-0110;
Background:
Weight reduction cycles are used by weight classed athletes in Taekwondo to make a weight category. Tension, dizziness, headaches, and confusion have been associated with rapid weight loss (RWL). There is a lack of research in weight cycling and its benefits among Taekwondo athletes.
Purpose:
To investigate the rate of weight cycling in Junior Taekwondo athletes and its effect on performance.
Methods:
Athletes were weighed prior to competition, then again before their first match. Body mass difference in relation to winning was compared.
Results:
A significant increase from weigh-in to pre-match measurements was consistently found in both genders with no significant difference between them. Winners had a mean body mass gain (1.02 kg) which was non-significantly less than the non-winners (1.09 kg).
Conclusions:
RWL practices do not define which athlete will perform better. Negative effects of weight cycling coupled with RWL has unclear performance benefits which indicates a need for further research.
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