International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports
Following an extensive literature review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on nutritional and weight cut strategies for combat sports. The type of combat sport, length of the fight camp, and time between weigh-in and competition are factors infl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2467909 |
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| author | Anthony A. Ricci Cassandra Evans Charles Stull Corey A. Peacock Duncan N. French Jeffery R. Stout David H. Fukuda Paul La Bounty Douglas Kalman Andrew J. Galpin Jaime Tartar Sarah Johnson Richard B. Kreider Chad M. Kerksick Bill I. Campbell Aaron Jeffery Chris Algieri Jose Antonio |
| author_facet | Anthony A. Ricci Cassandra Evans Charles Stull Corey A. Peacock Duncan N. French Jeffery R. Stout David H. Fukuda Paul La Bounty Douglas Kalman Andrew J. Galpin Jaime Tartar Sarah Johnson Richard B. Kreider Chad M. Kerksick Bill I. Campbell Aaron Jeffery Chris Algieri Jose Antonio |
| author_sort | Anthony A. Ricci |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Following an extensive literature review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on nutritional and weight cut strategies for combat sports. The type of combat sport, length of the fight camp, and time between weigh-in and competition are factors influencing nutritional and weight cut strategies. The following 16 points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them. 1. Combat sports have differing weight categories, official weigh-in times, and competition frequencies, influencing the nutritional and weight cut strategies for training and competition. 2. As the duration of a combat match increases, >4 min, contribution of the aerobic system can rise to >70%, yet anaerobic alactic pathways and anaerobic glycolytic pathways support high-output bursts. 3. During the off camp/general preparation phase, athletes should maintain a weight ranging 12% to 15% above the weight division requirement. 4. Supplements including creatine, beta-alanine, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, and caffeine have been shown to enhance performance and/or recovery during preparation phases, competition, and post-competition. 5. During fight camp, strategic decreases in calorie intake are necessary for an efficient longitudinal weight descent. Individual caloric needs can be determined using indirect calorimetry or validated equations such as Mifflin St. Jeor or Cunningham. 6. Protein should be prioritized during longitudinal weight descents to preserve lean body mass, and the timely delivery of carbohydrates supports training demands. Macronutrients should not drop below the following: carbohydrates 3.0–4.0 g/kg, protein 1.2–2.0 g/kg, and fat 0.5 to 1.0 g/kg/day. 7. Suitable losses in body mass range from 6.7% at 72 h, 5.7% at 48 h, and 4.4% at 24 h, prior to weigh-in. 8. Sodium restriction and water loading are effective for inducing polyuria and acute water loss. 9. During fight week, water-bound glycogen stores can be depleted through exercise and carbohydrate restriction, facilitating a 1% to 2% loss in body mass, with equivalent losses from a low-fiber intake of <10 g/day for 4 days. 10. During fight week, acute water loss strategies, including sauna, hot water immersion, and mummy wraps, can be used effectively with appropriate supervision (optimally ~2–4% of body mass within 24 h of weigh-in). 11. Post-weigh-in, rapid weight gain strategies are utilized to recover lost body fluid/mass before competition with the intent of gaining a competitive advantage. 12. Oral rehydration solutions (1 to 1.5 liters/h) combined with a sodium range of 50–90 mmol/dL should take precedence immediately post-weigh-in. 13. Fast-acting carbohydrates at a tolerable rate of ≤ 60 g/h should follow oral rehydration solutions. Post weigh-in intake of fiber should be limited to avoid gastrointestinal distress. 14. Post-weigh-in carbohydrate intake at 8–12 g/kg may be appropriate for combat athletes that undertook significant glycogen depletion strategies during fight week. About 4–7 g/kg may be suitable for modest carbohydrate restriction. 15. Post weigh-in, rehydration/refueling protocols should aim to regain ≥10% of body mass to mitigate declines in performance and the negative effects of rapid weight loss. 16. The long-term effects of frequent weight cuts on health and performance are unknown, necessitating further research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d68a7e2453d477f9bae43373e388f37 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-1d68a7e2453d477f9bae43373e388f372025-08-20T03:05:42ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2467909International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sportsAnthony A. Ricci0Cassandra Evans1Charles Stull2Corey A. Peacock3Duncan N. French4Jeffery R. Stout5David H. Fukuda6Paul La Bounty7Douglas Kalman8Andrew J. Galpin9Jaime Tartar10Sarah Johnson11Richard B. Kreider12Chad M. Kerksick13Bill I. Campbell14Aaron Jeffery15Chris Algieri16Jose Antonio17Nova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USANova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAUFC Performance Institute, Las Vegas, NV, USANova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAUFC Performance Institute, Las Vegas, NV, USAUniversity of Central Florida, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Orlando, FL, USAUniversity of Central Florida, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Orlando, FL, USAUniversity of Mary Hardin Baylor, Mayborn College of Health Sciences, Belton, TX, USANova Southeastern University, Department of Nutrition, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAParker University, Human Performance Center, Dallas, TX, USANova Southeastern University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USATexas A&M University, Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management, College Station, TX, USATexas A&M University, Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management, College Station, TX, USALindenwood University, Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, St. Charles, MO, USAUniversity of South Florida, Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory, Tampa, FL, USAKill Cliff FC, Deerfield Beach, FL, USANova Southeastern University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Davie, FL USANova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAFollowing an extensive literature review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on nutritional and weight cut strategies for combat sports. The type of combat sport, length of the fight camp, and time between weigh-in and competition are factors influencing nutritional and weight cut strategies. The following 16 points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them. 1. Combat sports have differing weight categories, official weigh-in times, and competition frequencies, influencing the nutritional and weight cut strategies for training and competition. 2. As the duration of a combat match increases, >4 min, contribution of the aerobic system can rise to >70%, yet anaerobic alactic pathways and anaerobic glycolytic pathways support high-output bursts. 3. During the off camp/general preparation phase, athletes should maintain a weight ranging 12% to 15% above the weight division requirement. 4. Supplements including creatine, beta-alanine, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, and caffeine have been shown to enhance performance and/or recovery during preparation phases, competition, and post-competition. 5. During fight camp, strategic decreases in calorie intake are necessary for an efficient longitudinal weight descent. Individual caloric needs can be determined using indirect calorimetry or validated equations such as Mifflin St. Jeor or Cunningham. 6. Protein should be prioritized during longitudinal weight descents to preserve lean body mass, and the timely delivery of carbohydrates supports training demands. Macronutrients should not drop below the following: carbohydrates 3.0–4.0 g/kg, protein 1.2–2.0 g/kg, and fat 0.5 to 1.0 g/kg/day. 7. Suitable losses in body mass range from 6.7% at 72 h, 5.7% at 48 h, and 4.4% at 24 h, prior to weigh-in. 8. Sodium restriction and water loading are effective for inducing polyuria and acute water loss. 9. During fight week, water-bound glycogen stores can be depleted through exercise and carbohydrate restriction, facilitating a 1% to 2% loss in body mass, with equivalent losses from a low-fiber intake of <10 g/day for 4 days. 10. During fight week, acute water loss strategies, including sauna, hot water immersion, and mummy wraps, can be used effectively with appropriate supervision (optimally ~2–4% of body mass within 24 h of weigh-in). 11. Post-weigh-in, rapid weight gain strategies are utilized to recover lost body fluid/mass before competition with the intent of gaining a competitive advantage. 12. Oral rehydration solutions (1 to 1.5 liters/h) combined with a sodium range of 50–90 mmol/dL should take precedence immediately post-weigh-in. 13. Fast-acting carbohydrates at a tolerable rate of ≤ 60 g/h should follow oral rehydration solutions. Post weigh-in intake of fiber should be limited to avoid gastrointestinal distress. 14. Post-weigh-in carbohydrate intake at 8–12 g/kg may be appropriate for combat athletes that undertook significant glycogen depletion strategies during fight week. About 4–7 g/kg may be suitable for modest carbohydrate restriction. 15. Post weigh-in, rehydration/refueling protocols should aim to regain ≥10% of body mass to mitigate declines in performance and the negative effects of rapid weight loss. 16. The long-term effects of frequent weight cuts on health and performance are unknown, necessitating further research.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2467909Longitudinal weight descentacute weight lossacute water lossnutritionperformance |
| spellingShingle | Anthony A. Ricci Cassandra Evans Charles Stull Corey A. Peacock Duncan N. French Jeffery R. Stout David H. Fukuda Paul La Bounty Douglas Kalman Andrew J. Galpin Jaime Tartar Sarah Johnson Richard B. Kreider Chad M. Kerksick Bill I. Campbell Aaron Jeffery Chris Algieri Jose Antonio International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Longitudinal weight descent acute weight loss acute water loss nutrition performance |
| title | International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| title_full | International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| title_fullStr | International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| title_full_unstemmed | International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| title_short | International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| title_sort | international society of sports nutrition position stand nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports |
| topic | Longitudinal weight descent acute weight loss acute water loss nutrition performance |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2467909 |
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