Results of a survey of highly qualified powerlifters and coaches regarding approaches to pre-competition body weight regulation

Oleh Olkhovyi¹, Natalya Didyuk², Oleksandr Tykhorskyi³, Maksymova Kateryna⁴

¹Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Kharkiv Doctor of Sciences, Professor, Vice-Rector for Research ttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5223-5229

²Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, Ukraine,Kharkiv Acting Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3371-2719

³Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Kharkiv, Candidate of Sciences in Physical Education, Associate Professor of the Department of Health, Fitness and Recreation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1779-0849

⁴Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Kharkiv, Candidate of Sciences in Physical Education, Associate Professor of the Department of Health, Fitness and Recreation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2027-662

Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17660763

https://www.ijoss.org/Archive/issue2-volume2/ijoss-Volume2-issue2-13.pdf

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Received / Gönderim: 27.05.2025 Accepted / Kabul: 25.06.2025 Published / Yayın: 30.06.2025

Abstract. The article analyzes the features of pre-competition body weight regulation in female powerlifters based on the results of an online survey of female athletes (n=29) and powerlifting coaches (n=16). The frequency, duration, methods, and volumes of body weight loss, as well as their impact on female athletes’ strength indicators, were identified. It was found that highly qualified female athletes more often use rapid weight loss methods (1–3 days before the competition), lose more than 5 kg and mainly use starvation. Simultaneously, qualified female athletes demonstrate greater variability of approaches and are more often negatively affected by strength abilities. The data obtained from coaches generally confirm the trends identified among female athletes. The results of the study can be used to optimize strategies for pre-competition body weight regulation in female athletes in power sports in general and in powerlifting in particular, taking into account individual characteristics and level of qualification.

Keywords: powerlifting, weight loss, pre-competition training, strength sports.

APA 7 Citation

Olkhovyi, O., Didyuk, N., Tykhorskyi, O., & Kateryna, M. (2025). Results of a survey of highly qualified powerlifters and coaches regarding approaches to pre-competition body weight regulation. International Journal of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (IJOSS), 2(2), 135–145. https://www.ijoss.org/Archive/issue2-volume2/ijoss-Volume2-issue2-13.pdf

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