Should the practice of "weight cutting" be allowed in sporting?

[silver 2039]

Weight cutting is the practice of rapid weight loss prior to a sporting competition. It most frequently happens in order to qualify for a lower weight class (usually in combat sports, where weight is a significant advantage) or in sports where it is advantageous to weigh as little as possible (most notably equestrian). There are two types of weight cutting: One method is to lose weight in the form of fat and muscle in the weeks prior to an event; the other is to lose weight in the form of water in the final days before competition.
Nutritional experts will rarely give advice on how to cut weight safely or effectively, and will simply recommend against cutting weight at all. However, many athletes choose to do it because they wish to gain an advantage in their sport. Coaches should be aware of this, and be prepared to counsel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_cutting

Well should it?

 

[Brighteye]

Of course. As should drugs. I really don't see the hard difference between the training regimes top athletes undergo and drug-taking. Both push the limits of what is normal human performance far beyond what an amateur with a job could do.

 

[Ecofarm]

Some people would like to compete in sports and not piss their lives away on steroids. This is only possible by disallowing steroids. Do you really think all professional sports should be turned into "you live to 50, tops" deals?

 

[Lillefix]

I dont think so. Its unhealthy and some sportsmen should to be protected from themselves.

On the other hand, I wouldn't mind all the world's professional athletes to die. Then we can fill the newspapers with something more interesting.

 

[Ecofarm]

On the other hand, I wouldn't mind all the world's professional athletes to die. Then we can fill the newspapers with something more interesting.

Hardcore. I'm with ya.

And all those people buying jerseys and crap can use their money for the greater good instead.

 

[Death_Machine]

Done properly cutting weight is just fine. I would cut every year at the end of football season & the start of wrestling. Cutting weight is like anything else in life, there is a right way to do it & a wrong way.

 

[Brighteye]

Some people would like to compete in sports and not piss their lives away on steroids. This is only possible by disallowing steroids. Do you really think all professional sports should be turned into "you live to 50, tops" deals?

Well, it's hardly a sudden change from their current lives. Top athletes aren't living 'problem free until you're 70' lives. Once they retire at 30 or 35, or whatever the age is for that sport, they're going to have problems for the rest of their lives, often arthritis in the joints they used most.
Some people would like to compete in sports and not piss away their youth in hard-core training, with 24 hours-a-day training schedules and carefully defined sleeping patterns, etc.
However, many top athletes use such careful planning to boost their performance. Should we ban this? Should we ensure that people have followed identical training regimes before they compete against each other?
At what point does a training aid become unnatural aid? I don't see the need for a clear distinction.

 

[El_Machinae]

If a league wants to be drug-free, well, let it. If it wants to allow steroids, let it.
The only way to deal with 'weight cutting' would be to weigh the athlete just before the competition, which then allows people to try to reach their ideal performing weight.

Many 'weigh-ins' occur the day before the competition, which really sets up the 'weight cutting' temptation.

 

[Ecofarm]

I don't see the need for a clear distinction.

Some people never do. But I think the line between natural and using steroids is pretty obvious - even if they are "natural steroids" meaning human growth hormone.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

I would oppose the watercutting. However is there a good method to stop it?

 

[GoodGame]

As long as it is done by legal means then it should be allowed.

 

[Syterion]

It's easy to enforce no weight cutting. Just do same-day weigh-ins. Then they can't cut weight (or they would just severely risk their health).

And I think that it should be done. It's not an aspect of the sport, and it's not strategical. It is not a skill that should matter in a sport. And no one will really be at a disadvantage if it is stopped (everyone moves up a weight class and competes against the same people), and they will all be healthier. Simple issue with obvious solution, that is fought against only for the continuing of a stupid tradition so people can have any advantage possible.

 

[dutchfire]

Meh, most decent sports (soccer, rugby/football, basketball, hockey, baseball etc.) don't have weight limits anyway.

 

[LucyDuke]

I don't see a problem.

If a league wants to be drug-free, well, let it. If it wants to allow steroids, let it.

And - SURPRISE - I agree with El Mac.

 

[LordRahl]

If you are only hurting your body, and willing to take the risk, everything should be allowed - including drugs.

Organize parallel 'drug-free' events, and lets see which will get better rating. Personally - I'm watching the athletes breaking world records.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

I would prefer it within healthy boundaries for a person based on their age and height, and by healthy means. Losing weight by losing water seems dangerous.

 

[Elta]

It's easy to enforce no weight cutting. Just do same-day weigh-ins. Then they can't cut weight (or they would just severely risk their health).

I can cut 12 pounds of water in same day weight ins an gain it back before the competition (it is usually 6 to 9 hours after the weight in because my weight class always starts later)

At least that is the way it is at NAGA. It's not unsafe. Some people take it too far though.

 

[Masquerouge]

I'm not sure I understand how someone who naturally weights, say. 175 pounds is going to be in a good shape to fight after dropping 10 pounds.

 

[El_Machinae]

You won't be in peak shape, but then it matters what weight division you're in. If you drop 10 lbs, but only lose one weight class, you probably should have only dropped 3-5 lbs.

 

[Syterion]

I can cut 12 pounds of water in same day weight ins an gain it back before the competition (it is usually 6 to 9 hours after the weight in because my weight class always starts later)

At least that is the way it is at NAGA. It's not unsafe. Some people take it too far though.

I meant it to be more like 2 hours before. The only problem with that is that if people are overweight they pretty much have no chance. But they should have planned correctly.