Sex Differences in the Prevalence, Magnitude, and Strategies of Rapid Weight Loss in Combat Sports

Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a widely practiced strategy in weight-classified combat sports and is commonly observed across various disciplines. Despite its significant implications for athlete health and performance, there remains a lack of comprehensive examination regarding sex differences in RWL prevalence, magnitude, and strategy. This narrative review explores RWL behaviors among combat sport athletes from a sex-based perspective, focusing on differences in prevalence, the amount of weight lost, and preferred strategies. In addition, physiological and psychosocial factors underlying these differences are discussed. This review aims to provide foundational insight for the development of scientific and practical RWL strategies that consider sex-specific characteristics, and to highlight the necessity of tailored weight management guidelines for male and female athletes in combat sports.