Page 162 - Safe Wrestling

Martin Šporin and Dorjana Zerbo Šporin

Results and Discussion
To our surprise, considerably more studies focused on rapid weight loss
(RWL) than on low energy availability (LEA) or relative energy deficiency
in sport (RED-S), suggesting a relative lack of research addressing LEA
and RED-S specifically in young wrestlers and combat-sport athletes.

Rapid Weight Loss in Young Combat-Sport Athletes
Martial arts and combat sports may provide multiple benefits for young
people by offering structured and engaging experiences that foster non-
violent behaviour as well as psychological, emotional, cognitive, and
physical development (Rodrigues et al., 2024). Low-frequency taekwon-
do training in adolescent girls, for example, appears to induce favourable
improvements in muscular fitness, flexibility, and body composition over
a relatively short intervention period (Kim et al., 2011). However, athletes
competing in weight-class sports, including wrestling and martial arts,
may pursue body-mass reduction in order to qualify for a lower competi-
tive category (Carl et al., 2017). This practice is typically achieved through
acute dehydration, caloric restriction, and intense physical activity in the
days preceding weigh-in.
The use of rapid weight-loss methods is common among young com-
bat-sport athletes, with prevalence estimates reaching approximately
58%, and athletes reportedly reducing body mass by up to 7% (Any˙ zews-
ka et al., 2018). Such practices may place athletes at increased risk of
inadequate intake of essential nutrients due to inappropriate food selec-
tion and insufficient overall dietary intake. Energy intake below recom-
mended levels, combined with insufficient macro- and micronutrient
consumption, may adversely affect not only exercise performance and
recovery but also overall athlete health (Any˙ zewska et al., 2018).
RWL appears to be particularly prevalent among adolescent judo ath-
letes, with approximately 80% reporting engagement in these practices.
Importantly, the behaviour begins early, at a mean age of 12.5 ± 2.2
years, and its prevalence increases with age, reaching approximately 94%
among judoka aged 16–17.9 years. On average, athletes reported reduc-
ingbodymassby1.5 ± 1.1 kg, most commonly through increased exer-
cise, meal skipping, and fasting episodes. Such weight-cutting strategies
may pose substantial health concerns, including impaired nutritional
status, reduced physical performance, and compromised growth and
development (Berkovich et al., 2016).
Similarly, Dubnov-Raz et al. (2016) reported that 38% of young taek-

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