Weight loss practices in Chinese national and international-level Sanda athletes

Sanda is an unarmed combat sport (CS) comprises punching, kicking, throwing, wrestling, and defensive techniques that has increased in popularity. To ensure athletes compete against opponents of similar body size and weight for fairness, Sanda competition is classified according to weight classes. Previous studies revealed that CS athletes tend to intentionally lose weight to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. However, little is known about weight loss (WL) practices in Sanda athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the WL practices of Chinese Sanda athletes.

In total, 169 (96 males, 73 females) national and international-level Sanda athletes completed the Rapid WL Questionnaire. Participants were categorized by sex (male, female), age (junior, senior), competition weight categories, and competitive levels (national, international).

Over half (56%) of athletes purposefully implemented WL practices pre-competition. Their mean habitual WL was 7.6 ± 3.7%, and mean highest WL was 10.8 ± 4.2%. Participants usually allocated 15+ days pre-competition for WL (64%). Their rapid WL score (RWLS) was 30.4 ± 6.4. There were no significant differences across Sanda athletes concerning habitual WL% (p = 0.386, p = 0.542, p = 0.207), highest WL% (p = 0.631, p = 0.232, p = 0.091), RWLS (p = 0.055, p = 0.395, p = 0.736) between junior and senior athletes, across weight categories, or between competitive levels. There were no significant differences in habitual WL% across WL time (p = 0.135). However, male athletes habitual WL% (p = 0.009), highest WL% (p = 0.002), number of WL in the last year between sexes (p = 0.048), and RWLS (p = 0.011) were significantly higher than female athletes. International athletes more frequently conducted WL per year than national athletes (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in age groups (p = 0.447) and weight categories (p = 0.585). Participants usually allocated 15+ days before the competition for WL (64%), followed by 11-14 days (21%), 8-10 days (5%), 6-7 days (4%), 4-5 days (4%), and 1-3 days (1%). Training in plastic suits (87.4%), increasing exercise (85.2%), skipping meals (56.8%), limiting fluid intake (75.8%), gradually dieting (60.0%), and training in a heated room (54.7%) were the most frequently used WL practices for Sanda athletes. Sports coach (68.5%), strength and conditioning coaches/physical trainers (42.1%), other athletes (same sport) (39.0%), and parents (32.6%) were considered to have the highest impact on athletes' WL practices.

This study found the prevalence of WL is relatively low among Chinese national and international Sanda athletes, but the magnitudes are very high compared to other combat sports. Given that coaches have the greatest influence, the wider athlete support team must work cohesively with coaches to ensure that appropriate, individualized, and safe WL practices are applied.