Body Mass Management Practices of Olympic Weightlifting Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Nutrition
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Competitive weightlifting involves strict weight categories.
• Athletes often aim to compete at a body mass (BM) lower than their habitual training mass.
• Understanding BM management practices is crucial for athlete health and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the body mass (BM) management practices of competitive Olympic weightlifting athletes.
• To determine the prevalence, magnitude, and methods of BM loss for competition.
• To identify differences in BM management between male and female athletes.

Main Methods:

• A validated, anonymous survey was administered to 149 Olympic weightlifting athletes.
• Data collected included demographics, training/competition history, weight history, and BM management strategies.
• Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA, Spearman's rho, and chi-square tests.

Main Results:

• 76% of athletes reported using chronic and/or acute weight loss strategies to make weight.
• Typical pre-competition BM loss (2-3%) was within recommended guidelines.
• Gradual dieting, fluid restriction, and low-volume, high-calorie foods were common strategies.
• Female athletes were more inclined towards gradual dieting and less likely to increase exercise or fast compared to males.
• Female athletes identified dietitians/nutritionists as a key information source.

Conclusions:

• The majority of Olympic weightlifting athletes engage in body mass (BM) management to compete at a lighter weight.
• Commonly employed strategies are generally within recommended guidelines.
• Gender-specific differences exist in BM management techniques and information sources, highlighting the need for tailored guidance.