From the time of a weigh-in to the moment the fight begins, you will often see many fighters go through a tremendous physical transformation. Within a 24 to 30-hour period, they can lose and gain as much as 10 pounds or more, which can be a huge advantage during the fight. While weight cutting is a typical part of many fighters' game plans, it can be dangerous. Thoughtful, careful weight cutting can reduce the impact this process has on a fighter's body.
Weight cutting poses dangers to many organ systems of the body, especially the kidneys which are affected whenever athletes adjust their hydration. Extreme weight cutting also can increase the likelihood of injury during the fight.
"If you cut too much weight, you can tax the organs," explains Jeff Clark, an MMA coach and manager at TheArenaMMA in San Diego, California. "The other main problem is that you can lose too much fluid around the brain. This can cause some trauma and make you more susceptible to knock outs."
It is wise to begin adjusting weight several weeks before a fight. At a week before the weigh-in, the goal is usually to be anywhere from eight to as much as a dozen pounds higher than your fight weight. If you are attempting to cut and re-gain more than about 12 pounds, the risk to your body becomes greater.
Once you have reached the week prior to your weighing in, you can begin a more extreme campaign of weight cuts. Eliminate all liquids except for distilled water, which will alter the body's pH balance and allow the body to dehydrate much more quickly. The night before the weight check, stop drinking and your body will begin dropping water weight. Going to the sauna will accelerate this process, and the weight should drop very quickly.
After weigh-in, you will have maybe 30 hours at the most to put weight back on rapidly. The safest way to do this is to eat healthy foods, especially fruit and complex carbohydrates. As far as hydration goes, drink small and steady amounts of water, coconut water and electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte.
Weight cutting poses dangers to many organ systems of the body, especially the kidneys which are affected whenever athletes adjust their hydration. Extreme weight cutting also can increase the likelihood of injury during the fight.
"If you cut too much weight, you can tax the organs," explains Jeff Clark, an MMA coach and manager at TheArenaMMA in San Diego, California. "The other main problem is that you can lose too much fluid around the brain. This can cause some trauma and make you more susceptible to knock outs."
It is wise to begin adjusting weight several weeks before a fight. At a week before the weigh-in, the goal is usually to be anywhere from eight to as much as a dozen pounds higher than your fight weight. If you are attempting to cut and re-gain more than about 12 pounds, the risk to your body becomes greater.
Once you have reached the week prior to your weighing in, you can begin a more extreme campaign of weight cuts. Eliminate all liquids except for distilled water, which will alter the body's pH balance and allow the body to dehydrate much more quickly. The night before the weight check, stop drinking and your body will begin dropping water weight. Going to the sauna will accelerate this process, and the weight should drop very quickly.
After weigh-in, you will have maybe 30 hours at the most to put weight back on rapidly. The safest way to do this is to eat healthy foods, especially fruit and complex carbohydrates. As far as hydration goes, drink small and steady amounts of water, coconut water and electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias enjoys writing about mixed martial arts advantages. For further information about boxing classes in San Diego or to find local trainers in jiu jitsu in San Diego, please visit The Arena MMA website now.
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