Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216224%3A14510%2F25%3A00141179" target="_blank" >RIV/00216224:14510/25:00141179 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131/full" target="_blank" >https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131/full</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131" target="_blank" >10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study

Original language description

Introduction: Weight cycling—defined as repeated, chronic, and often extreme weight loss is a widespread practice in combat sports. However, it may lead to symptoms related to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). This case study investigates the impact of a five-week fight camp on the health and performance of an elite female Muaythai athlete, with a particular focus on metabolic and physiological adaptations. Methods: A 23-year-old professional Muaythai fighter was monitored over a seven-week period, encompassing a control phase, a five-week fight camp, the fight week, and post-fight recovery. Measurements included body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), blood biomarkers, and performance in a cycling power test. Dietary intake and training load were also tracked. Results: The athlete's RMR decreased by 253 kilocalories per day. Blood markers indicated increased creatinine and urea levels, along with unfavorable changes in lipid profile. Maximum cycling power output decreased by 27%. Despite a significant energy deficit, fat-free mass loss was limited to 0.6. These findings suggest metabolic adaptations, signs of renal strain, and symptoms of REDs. Conclusion: Weight cycling induced physiological and metabolic adaptations consistent with REDs, negatively affecting health and performance. The results highlight the importance for individualized and evidence-based weight management strategies to mitigate negative health outcomes and enhance athletic performance in combat sports.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

30306 - Sport and fitness sciences

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

ISSN

2624-9367

e-ISSN

2624-9367

Volume of the periodical

7

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1599131

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

1-11

UT code for WoS article

001497941900001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105006922421