Effects of rapid weight loss on mood and performance among amateur boxers
- 1Department of Sports Sciences, Brunel University, UK
- 2School of Sport Performing Arts, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall Campus, Gorway Road, Walsall WS1 3BD, UK
- Dr Lane in6740{at}wlv.ac.uk
- Accepted 18 July 2001
Abstract
Aims—To examine the effects of rapid weight loss on mood and performance among amateur boxers.
Methods—Participants were 16 experienced amateur boxers. In stage 1, structured interviews were used to assess the type of strategies that boxers used to reduce weight and the value of performing at their desired weight in terms of performance. In stage 2, boxers completed a 4 × 2 minute (1 minute recovery) circuit training session. Boxers completed the circuit training session on three different occasions with a week between each. The first test was used to familiarise the boxers with the circuit training task; the second and third tasks were at their training weight and championship weight, respectively. Participants were given one week to reduce their body weight to their championship weight using their preferred weight making strategies; boxers reduced their body weight by an average of 5.16% of body weight.
Results—Boxers typically lost weight by restricting fluid and food intake in the week leading to competition. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance results indicated that rapid weight loss among boxers was associated with poor performance, increased anger, fatigue, and tension, and reduced vigour.
Conclusions—Strategies used to make weight by boxers are associated with poor performance and a negative mood profile.
