Longevity & AgingISSN Issues First Evidence-Based Nutrition Guide for MMA and Combat Sport Athletes
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) published its first comprehensive position stand on nutrition and weight-cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports. Drawing on an extensive literature review across PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, the panel of experts synthesized evidence across four phases: general preparation, fight camp, fight week, and post-weigh-in recovery. Key guidance includes maintaining body mass 12–15% above division weight during off-camp phases, prioritizing protein during longitudinal weight descent to preserve lean mass, using structured acute water loss strategies in the final 24–48 hours before weigh-in, and following oral rehydration solutions with fast-acting carbohydrates post-weigh-in. The document also highlights critical differences between sports with 24–36-hour weigh-in windows versus same-day weigh-ins.
