BACKGROUND

Combat sports are intense and physically demanding, and healthy weight control practices are necessary to ensure a safe and fair competition for all athletes involved.

OBJECTIVE

The study will determine the dietary and non-dietary weight control practices of Philippine National Wushu Sanda athletes. It will also aim to explore the perceived effects of these practices on performance and well-being.

METHODOLOGY

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews will be used to gain insights into the athletes' experiences, habits, and practices regarding their weight control practices. The semi-structured questionnaire will focus on daily food intake, weight control practices, and their effects on performance and well-being. Thematic data analysis will be used to analyze the data.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Weight control practices of Wushu Sanda Athletes vary depending on the training phase. Both dietary practices, such as water intake, skipping meals, and food choices, and non-dietary practices, such as intense training and sweat suits, are expected to be observed to achieve their desired weight. These practices are anticipated to have been influenced by their coaches and senior athletes, having both positive and negative effects on the athlete’s physical, mental, and psychological well-being.

Human ; Martial Arts ; Sports ; Athletes

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of selected Philippine national combat sports athletes and determine the correlation of demographics and sources of nutrition information with participants' dietary habits and nutrition knowledge. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included assessing boxing and taekwondo Philippine national athletes using the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire: Filipino Version. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics between sports comparison and exploratory correlation and regression analyses. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 44 participants aged 21+ 3.4 years were able to participate in the study. Responses revealed that 69.44% have fair dietary habits and 73.54% have good nutritional knowledge. Results indicated no significant difference between the two sports in dietary habits and nutritional knowledge (p>0.05). Further analyses revealed that years in playing (r= 0.32, p= 0.04), and sources of nutrition information, precisely strength and conditioning coach (r= 0.36, p= 0.02), and peers (r= 0.39, p= 0.01) have a significant correlation with good dietary habit and nutritional knowledge, respectively. CONCLUSION Overall, Filipino national athletes of boxing and taekwondo have fair dietary habits and sound nutritional knowledge. Furthermore, nutritional knowledge sources are possible relevant factors that may affect the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of combat sports athletes.