Table 1

Weight sensitive* sports (Olympic and non-Olympic)

CategoryDescriptionSport examples
Gravitational sportsSports in which high body mass (may) restricts performance due to mechanical (gravitational) reasons

  • ▸ Long distance running

  • ▸ Ski jumping

  • ▸ Jumping (high, pole)

  • ▸ Road cycling

  • ▸ Climbing

Weight class sportsSports in which athletic competitions are organised according to categories of body mass because the athletes anticipate an advantage when they are classified in a lower body mass (weight) category

  • ▸ Wrestling

  • ▸ Judo

  • ▸ Boxing

  • ▸ Taekwondo

  • ▸ Weight lifting

  • ▸ Lightweight rowing

  • ▸ Jockeying

High body mass sportsSports in which a high body mass may confer a performance advantage

  • ▸ American football

  • ▸ Bobsleigh

  • ▸ Alpine skiing, snowboard

  • ▸ Rugby

  • ▸ Ice hockey

  • ▸ Rowing (open weight)

  • ▸ Weight class (open division; eg, judo, weight lifting)

Aesthetic sportsSports in which athletes or their coaches expect higher scores when their body mass and shape conform to a perceived body ideal. This group includes particularly the judged female sports

  • ▸ Rhythmic and artistic gymnastics

  • ▸ Figure skating

  • ▸ Diving synchronised swimming

  • ▸ Freestyle aerials

  • *The weight-sensitive sports are those in which extreme dieting, low % body fat, frequent mass fluctuation and eating disorders have been reported in both literature and practice.