Factors Influencing Weight Loss Practices in Italian Boxers: A Cluster Analysis

Stefano Amatori, Oliver R. Barley, Erica Gobbi, Diego Vergoni, Attilio Carraro, Carlo Baldari, Laura Guidetti, Marco B. L. Rocchi, Fabrizio Perroni and Davide Sisti
Additional contact information
Stefano Amatori: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy
Oliver R. Barley: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 6027 Joondalup, Australia
Erica Gobbi: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy
Diego Vergoni: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy
Attilio Carraro: Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen, 39100 Bozen, Italy
Carlo Baldari: Faculty of Psychology, Uni E-Campus, 00182 Rome, Italy
Laura Guidetti: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Marco B. L. Rocchi: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy
Fabrizio Perroni: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy
Davide Sisti: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61027 Urbino, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: It is common practice in combat sports that athletes rapidly lose body weight before a match, by applying different practices—some safer and others possibly dangerous. The factors behind the choice of practices utilised have not been fully studied. This study aimed to investigate the weight loss strategies used by Italian boxers and to look at the difference between higher and lower risk practice adaptors. A modified version of a validated questionnaire has been sent to 164 amateur (88%) and professional (12%) boxers by email. A heatmap with hierarchical clustering was used to explore the presence of subgroups. Weight loss strategies were used by 88% of the athletes. Two clusters were found, defined by the severity of weight loss behaviours. Professional fighters, high-level athletes and females were more represented in Cluster 2, the one with more severe weight-loss practices. These athletes were characterised by a higher weight loss magnitude and frequency throughout the season and reported being more influenced by physicians and nutritionists, compared with the boxers in Cluster 1. Not all the weight loss practices are used with the same frequency by all boxers. The level of the athlete and the boxing style have an influence on the weight-cutting practices.

Keywords: boxing; cluster analysis; combat sports; professional athletes; weight cutting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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