Combat Sport Nutrition:A Pragmatic Case Study in an Elite Mixed Martial Arts Athlete

Matthews, Joseph J. (2020) Combat Sport Nutrition:A Pragmatic Case Study in an Elite Mixed Martial Arts Athlete. SportRxiv.

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Abstract

Introduction: Mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes typically undergo energy restriction and severe dehydration to compete in a specific weight category: a process known as making weight. This can pose a health risk to athletes and has led to fatalities. Some risks can be mitigated with structured sports nutrition. Methods: This case study provides an overview of a 10-week sports nutrition intervention devised to support an elite male MMA athlete for a world lightweight title bout. Results: Over a 9-week period, body mass was reduced from 81.6 kg (baseline) to 75.4 kg (1-week pre-competition): total loss 6.2 kg (8.2%) equivalent to 0.68 kg.wk-1. In the final 5 days, body mass was reduced by a further 5.2 kg (7.4%), before regaining 5.8 kg (8.3%) and entering competition at 76 kg. There was no incidence of injury or illness throughout the training camp and the athlete reported positive feedback regarding health, wellbeing, and physical performance. Conclusions: The intervention demonstrates a pragmatic approach tomaking weight by allowing moderate rapid weight loss(RWL)and rapid weight gainunder controlled conditions. In the absence of rule changes to prevent RWL, coaches and athletes can utilise sports nutrition strategies to minimise the risks associated with a traditional approach to making weight.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Item published on SportRxiv - a preprint repository - and has not yet been peer reviewed.
Identification Number:	10.31236/osf.io/bgnst
Dates:	Date Event 3 January 2020 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	case study, combat sports, dieting, MMA, nutrition, performance, weight cutting
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-02 - nutrition and dietetics CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Health and Care Professions
Depositing User:	Joseph Matthews
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2020 15:55
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2022 11:36
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/8930

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