Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions (Ame2p), Crnh Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Unit of Biostatistics (DRCI), Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Phys Sportsmed. 2023 Apr;51(2):144-152. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2021.2014285. Epub 2022 Jan 5.
Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common precompetitive strategy used by athletes in weight-class sports and carries with it an increased risk to future cardiometabolic health. The Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ) is a self-reported tool designed to identify and characterize such weight loss practices.
After developing a reliable and reproducible French version of the RWLQ (RWLQ-FR), the present study aims to analyse RWL patterns among French weight-class athletes and to point out potential relationships between such practices and risk of subsequent weight gain.
A test-retest analysis was performed in 54 athletes to test the questionnaire reproducibility before applying it in a cohort of 168 weight-cycling athletes (23.78 ± 9.25 y, 67.6 ± 12.6 kg, 81 males and 87 females, n = 24 strength sports and n = 144 various combat sports).
The test-retest showed good agreement of the RWLQ-FR (Rho = 0.794, [0.696-0.893]). Athletes reported losing an average of 4.1 ± 2.9% of their initial weight in 13.1 ± 9.6 days, with the main methods used being an increase in exercise, training in rubber or plastic suits, and gradual dieting. The average weight recovery in a week was 3.5 ± 2.8% and results showed that the athletes with the lower inter-season weight (weight outside of the training and competition season) regained the more weight (p = 0.025). The average RWLQ-FR score was 31.9 ± 17.3 and athletes who began to lose weight earlier in their competitive carrier had the higher scores (p = 0.032).
The present study demonstrates relationships between the pattern of RWL practices and potential increased risk of subsequent weight gain in weight-cycling athletes, and the need to better understand the long-term health-related risks.
快速减重（RWL）是体重分级运动中运动员常用的赛前策略，会增加未来心血管代谢健康的风险。快速减重问卷（RWLQ）是一种自我报告工具，旨在识别和描述此类减重做法。
在开发出可靠且可重复的法语版 RWLQ（RWLQ-FR）后，本研究旨在分析法国体重分级运动员的 RWL 模式，并指出这些做法与随后体重增加风险之间的潜在关系。
对 54 名运动员进行了测试-重测分析，以测试问卷的可重复性，然后将其应用于 168 名体重循环运动员的队列中（23.78±9.25 岁，67.6±12.6 公斤，81 名男性和 87 名女性，n=24 名力量运动和 n=144 名各种格斗运动）。
RWLQ-FR 的测试-重测结果显示出良好的一致性（Rho=0.794，[0.696-0.893]）。运动员报告称，在 13.1±9.6 天内平均减重 4.1±2.9%，主要方法是增加运动量、在橡胶或塑料套装中训练以及逐渐节食。一周内的平均体重恢复量为 3.5±2.8%，结果表明，在赛季外体重（训练和比赛季节之外的体重）较低的运动员恢复的体重更多（p=0.025）。RWLQ-FR 的平均得分为 31.9±17.3，并且在竞争生涯中较早开始减重的运动员得分更高（p=0.032）。
本研究表明，体重分级运动员的 RWL 做法模式与随后体重增加的潜在风险之间存在关系，需要更好地了解长期健康相关风险。
