Monitoring body mass status during the COVID-19 quarantine in combat and aesthetic sports

Abstract

Introduction Body mass is a crucial matter in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in combat and aesthetic sports which use body mass or weight as a variable in determining class/division for a match. This study aims to analyze and compare the effects of COVID-19 quarantining on body mass between combat and aesthetic sports athletes. Material and methods 150 male athletes, in the age group of 20-23 years old, participated in this study. They were grouped into two. The first consisted of 100 combat sports athletes, including boxing (n=25), Judo (n=20), Karate (n=20), Taekwondo (n=20), and Pencak Silat (n=15). The second group was comprised of 50 aesthetic sports athletes, including aerobic (n=20), artistic gymnastics (n=15), and diving (n=15). This study focused on two parts: body mass measurement before the large-scale social restrictions in DKI Jakarta was implemented (Pre-LSCR) and body mass measurement during the large-scale social restrictions in DKI Jakarta (During-LSCR). A Life Satisfaction (LS) questionnaire was administered to all participants During-LSCR. Results The LS questionnaire showed a higher level of the “very satisfying” response in aesthetic sports athletes regarding doing sports During-LSCR (90%), compared to that in combat sports athletes (16%). On the other hand, there were significant differences in body mass (p = 0.001) and body fat percentage (p = 0.001) between combat sports and aesthetic sports athletes. Conclusions This study shows that aesthetic sports lighter than combat sports during the 20- day quarantine period in the COVID-19 pandemic.