Research Impact: Weight category sports involve athletes who typically engage in weight- making behaviours and practices in order to compete. Such practices have been shown to have a negative impact on physiological and cognitive function and performance. Over recent years there has been a growing body of scientific information concerning evidence-based strategies for more safely making weight without comprising health or performance. Despite this evolving knowledge, adherence to such practices appears to be low. This review therefore was the first of its kind to investigate the behavioural determinants of engagement and adherence in weight making practices in weight category sports. This review highlights a broad range of socio-cultural and psychological factors which influenced beliefs resulting early adoption and continued engagement in certain weight loss practices due to their cultural acceptance. Based on these findings it is recommended that future research should focus on the identification of barriers and facilitators for adopting more safer weight making practices in weight category athletes so that bespoke education and psychological skills training programmes can be implemented in increase adherence.
Noonan-Holohan, S., Cullen, S.J., Dunne, A., Warrington, G., Fitzpatrick, P., Pugh, J., McGoldrick, A. and Losty, C., 2024. The behavioural determinants of weight-making in weight-category sports: A narrative review. Performance Enhancement & Health, p.100273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100273
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