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Abstract

Rapid weight loss (RWL) is commonly practised in the lead-up to judo competitions to reduce body mass and gain assumed advantages over opponents by competing in a weight classification below day-to-day weight. This study explored the RWL experiences of international-level judo coaches (n = 4; 2 males, 2 females), their athletes (n = 4; 2 males, 2 females) and their team nutritionist (female). Four themes were identified using reflexive thematic analysis: (a) ‘RWL methods’ including sweating off, restricting fluid intake, and restricted food intake, in particular carbohydrates, (b) ‘factors influencing RWL’, such as a belief that engaging in RWL is the norm in judo, driving several RWL behaviours, (c) ‘consequences of RWL’, for example, drawing focus from competition preparation to making weight, and (d) ‘recommendations for safe and effective weight-making in judo’ which focused on education and relationship building. Findings indicate that in international judo there is a move to using evidence-based approaches, leading to safer and science-based RWL, alongside a desire for education and support regarding these approaches provided to combat sport coaches, athletes, and practitioners starting at grassroots level.

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