RT Book, Section
A1 Reale, Reid
A1 Gibsonl, Jennifer
A2 Burke, Louise
A2 Deakin, Vicki
A2 Minehan, Michelle
SR Print(0)
ID 1185563424
T1 Making Weight
T2 Clinical Sports Nutrition, 6e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd
PP New York, NY
SN 9781743767900
LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1185563424
RD 2024/04/20
AB Weight  categories  are  specified  in  combat  sports,  lifting,  rowing  and  horseracing  to  create  an  even  playing  field.  Athletes  are  weighed  in  the  presence  of  an  official  before  competition  to  ensure  they  have  ‘made  weight’  (achieved  the  weight  criteria  for  their  designated  weight  category).  If  body  mass  (BM)  is  even  slightly  higher  than  the  category  allows,  the  athlete  is  disqualified  from  competing.  In  some  weight-category  sports,  being  heavier  than  an  opponent  offers  power  and  strength  advantages.  Hence,  many  athletes  use  acute  weight-loss  strategies  to  rapidly  lose  weight  in  the  hours  or  days  before  competition.  Sports  dietitians  can  play  a  key  role  in  helping  athletes  to  maximise  weight  advantages  with  strategic  but  safe  weight-making  practices.  This  chapter  summarises  research  regarding  acute  weight  loss  and  provides  strategies  to  guide  safe  and  effective  weight-making.