Table 1 Weight loss prevalence and magnitude in combat sports’ athletes

Brazilian judo (n = 145)

Males: 62.8%

Males^a: 5.6 ± 2.2 kg

Brito et al.[10]

8.5 ± 4.2%

Brazilian jujitsu (n = 155)

Males: 56.8%

Males^a: 2.9 ± 1.5 kg

4.1 ± 2.0%

Brazilian karate (n = 130)

Males: 70.8%

Males^a: 2.5 ± 1.1 kg

3.6 ± 2.2%

Brazilian taekwondo (n = 150)

Males: 63.3%

Males^a: 3.2 ± 1.2 kg

4.3 ± 3.2%

Iranian wrestling (n = 436)

62%

3.3 ± 1.8 kg (5.0 ± 2.6%)

Kordi et al.[17]

Brazilian judo (n = 822)

86% (all categories)

Most of the athletes reduced between 2–5%

Artioli et al.[5]

89% (heavyweights excluded)

Brazilian judo (n = 105 males and 20 females)

Males: 77.1%

Males: 4.5 ± 3.5 kg

Fabrini et al.[19]

Females: 55.0%

Females: 1.7 ± 0.8 kg

USA judo (n = NR)

70–80%

NR

Horswill[20]

Brazilian Olympic Boxing Team

100%

5.8 kg

Perón et al.[13]

Canadian taekwondo (n = 28)

53%

NR

Kazemi et al.[11]

USA high school wrestling (n = 2352)

62%

2.9 ± 1.3 kg

Kinigham and Gorenflo[21]

4.3 ± 2.3%

USA college wrestling (n = 63)

89%

5 kg

Steen and Brownell[6]

USA high school wrestling (n = 368)

70%

2.3 kg

USA high school wrestling (n = 747)

NR

3.1 ± 2.4 kg

Tipton and Tcheng[22]