Lightest weight-class athletes are at higher risk of weight regain: results from the French-Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire.

Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common precompetitive strategy used by athletes in weight-class sports and carries with it an increased risk to future cardiometabolic health. The Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ) is a self-reported tool designed to identify and characterize such weight loss practices. After developing a reliable and reproducible French version of the RWLQ (RWLQ-FR), the present study aims to analyse RWL patterns among French weight-class athletes and to point out potential relationships between such practices and risk of subsequent weight gain. A test-retest analysis was performed in 54 athletes to test the questionnaire reproducibility before applying it in a cohort of 168 weight-cycling athletes (23.78±9.25 y, 67.6±12.6 kg, 81 males and 87 females, n=24 strength sports and n=144 various combat sports). Results showed good agreement of the RWLQ-FR (Rho=0.794, [0.696-0.893]). Athletes reported losing an average of 4.1±2.9% of their initial weight in 13.1±9.6 days, with the main methods used being an increase in exercise, training in rubber or plastic suits, and gradual dieting. The average weight recovery in a week was 3.5±2.8% and results showed that the athletes with the lower inter-season weight (weight outside of the training and competition season) regained the more weight (p=0.025). The average RWLQ-FR score was 31.9±17.3 and athletes who began to lose weight earlier in their competitive carrier had the higher scores (p=0.032). To conclude, the present study demonstrates relationships between the pattern of RWL practices and potential increased risk of subsequent weight gain in weight-cycling athletes, and the need to better understand the long-term health-related risks.