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

J 2025

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

BULÍNOVÁ, Viktorie; Adam WAGNER a Michal KUMSTÁT

Základní údaje

Originální název

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

Autoři

BULÍNOVÁ, Viktorie ; Adam WAGNER a Michal KUMSTÁT

Vydání

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2025, 2624-9367

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

30306 Sport and fitness sciences

Stát vydavatele

Švýcarsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 2.600 v roce 2024

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sportovních studií

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131

UT WoS

001497941900001

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-105006922421

Klíčová slova anglicky

weight loss; athlete; female; body composition; health outcomes; combat sports

Změněno: 9. 1. 2026 14:30, Mgr. Viktorie Bulínová

Anotace

V originále

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.

Návaznosti

MUNI/A/1470/2023, interní kód MU

Název: Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii II

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii II

MUNI/A/1475/2024, interní kód MU

Název: Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii III

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii III

Citovat

BULÍNOVÁ, Viktorie; Adam WAGNER a Michal KUMSTÁT. Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2025, roč. 7, č. 2025, s. 1-11. ISSN 2624-9367. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131.

@article{2497617,
   author = {Bulínová, Viktorie and Wagner, Adam and Kumstát, Michal},
   article_number = {2025},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131},
   keywords = {weight loss; athlete; female; body composition; health outcomes; combat sports},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2624-9367},
   journal = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living},
   title = {Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study},
   url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131/full},
   volume = {7},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2497617
AU  - Bulínová, Viktorie - Wagner, Adam - Kumstát, Michal
PY  - 2025
TI  - Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study
JF  - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
VL  - 7
IS  - 2025
SP  - 1-11
EP  - 1-11
SN  - 26249367
KW  - weight loss
KW  - athlete
KW  - female
KW  - body composition
KW  - health outcomes
KW  - combat sports
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131/full
N2  - 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.
ER  -

BULÍNOVÁ, Viktorie; Adam WAGNER a Michal KUMSTÁT. Weight cycling and relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome in an elite female muaythai athlete: a case study. \textit{Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}. 2025, roč.~7, č.~2025, s.~1-11. ISSN~2624-9367. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1599131.

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