Rapid weight loss in the context of Ramadan observance: recommendations for judokas

A Aloui; H Chtourou; W Briki; M Tabben; A Chaouachi; N Souissi; RJ Shephard; K Chamari

doi:10.5604/20831862.1224098

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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4/2016
vol. 33

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abstract:

Review paper

Rapid weight loss in the context of Ramadan observance: recommendations for judokas

A Aloui

¹

,

H Chtourou

²

,

W Briki

³

,

M Tabben

⁴

,

A Chaouachi

⁵

,

N Souissi

⁶

,

RJ Shephard

⁷

,

K Chamari

⁸

High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
Research Unit: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, UR15JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia
Qatar University, College of Arts and Sciences, Sport Science Program, Doha, Qatar
CETAPS, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France
Research Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization”, National Centre of Medicine and Sciences in Sport, Tunis, Tunisia
National Observatory on Sport, Tunis, Tunisia
Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar

Biol. Sport 2016;33:407-413

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1224098

Online publish date: 2016/11/24

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Judo is a weight-classified combat sport, and many athletes seek to compete at the lightest possible weight category to gain an advantage from competing against shorter/smaller, and supposedly weaker opponents. To achieve a desired weight, most judokas opt for rapid weight loss techniques. Short-duration maximal efforts are not greatly affected by “making weight”, but prolonged and/or repeated exercise is significantly impaired. Negative effects on mood, ratings of perceived exertion, and cognitive function are also reported. Moreover, rapid weight loss reduces maximal cardiac output and glycogen stores, and impairs thermo-regulation. Limited empirical data suggest that Ramadan reduces judokas’ performance, and this is likely to be exacerbated by attempts at rapid weight loss. Weight reduction during Ramadan tends to be counterproductive, and judokas who aim for a lower weight category are advised to attempt any desired reduction of body mass during the weeks leading up to Ramadan, rather than during the holy month.

keywords:

Rapid weight loss in the context of Ramadan observance: recommendations for judokas

A Aloui 1 , H Chtourou 2 , W Briki 3 , M Tabben 4 , A Chaouachi 5 , N Souissi 6 , RJ Shephard 7 , K Chamari 8

Judo, Ramadan intermittent fasting, Dehydration, Rapid weight reduction

A Aloui

¹

,

H Chtourou

²

,

W Briki

³

,

M Tabben

⁴

,

A Chaouachi

⁵

,

N Souissi

⁶

,

RJ Shephard

⁷

,

K Chamari

⁸