Effects of rapid weight loss on grip strength of national-level male judokas during simulated bout

Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common practice among combat sports athletes, particularly judokas, to compete within weight categories. This study examines the impact of RWL on isometric forearm strength and perceived exertion during a simulated bout among national-level male judokas. A total of 15 male judokas (age: 20.4 ± 2.0 y) participated in the study. Simulated judo bouts were conducted at three time points: baseline (before RWL), Phase 1 (72 hours after baseline, post 5% RWL), and Phase 2 (7 days after Phase 1). Handgrip strength (HGS) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after bouts at each time point. Results demonstrated significant reductions in HGS post-bout across all phases (all p < .001). In addition, the pre-bout HGS of the right hand in Phase 1 was significantly lower compared to Phase 2. The RPE was higher in Phase 1 compared to Phase 2. These findings suggest that RWL negatively affects the HGS of the right arm and also increases perceived exertion after simulated bouts.