title: Can height categories replace weight categories in striking martial arts competitions? A pilot study.
abstract: In most combat sports and martial arts, athletes compete within weight categories. Disordered eating behaviors and intentional pre-competition rapid weight loss are commonly seen in this population, attributed to weight categorization. We examined if height categories can be used as an alternative to weight categories for competition, in order to protect the health of athletes. Height and weight of 169 child and adolescent competitive karate athletes were measured. Participants were divided into eleven hypothetical weight categories of 5 kg increments, and eleven hypothetical height categories of 5 cm increments. We calculated the coefficient of variation of height and weight by each division method. We also calculated how many participants fit into corresponding categories of both height and weight, and how many would shift a category if divided by height. There was a high correlation between height and weight (r = 0.91, p<0.001). The mean range of heights seen within current weight categories was reduced by 83% when participants were divided by height. When allocating athletes by height categories, 74% of athletes would shift up or down one weight category at most, compared with the current categorization method. We conclude that dividing young karate athletes by height categories significantly reduced the range of heights of competitors within the category. Such categorization would not cause athletes to compete against much heavier opponents in most cases. Using height categories as a means to reduce eating disorders in combat sports should be further examined.
authors.affiliation: Exercise, Nutrition and Lifestyle Clinic, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. ; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dubnov-Raz
authors.affiliation: School of Nutritional Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mashiach-Arazi
authors.affiliation: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ariella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nouriel
authors.affiliation: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.affiliation: Sport Medicine Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Naama W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Constantini
keywords: athletes; eating disorders; karate; rapid weight loss