Role of Intermittent Fasting in Modulating Stress-related Weight Gain among Combat Sport Athletes

Yatish R.; Dr. Sowmya M.

Role of Intermittent Fasting in Modulating Stress-related Weight Gain among Combat Sport Athletes

Author(s)	Yatish R., Dr. Sowmya M.
Country	India
Abstract	Combat-sport athletes face a distinctive combination of physiological and psychological demands arising from high training loads, weight-class requirements, competitive pressure, repeated weight cycling, and, in some athletes, rapid pre-competition weight loss. These factors can interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, appetite regulation, sleep, energy availability, glucose metabolism, and body-composition control. After aggressive weight loss, rapid post-weigh-in refeeding and fluid restoration can cause substantial short-term fluctuations in body mass and, if repeated chronically, may contribute to undesirable changes in body composition. Intermittent fasting (IF), particularly time-restricted eating (TRE), has attracted interest as a nutritional strategy for improving metabolic health and regulating body weight. Proposed mechanisms include improved insulin sensitivity, altered substrate utilisation, circadian alignment, activation of cellular energy-sensing pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), and potential modulation of inflammatory and stress responses. However, human evidence does not currently support describing IF as a proven method for "resetting" the HPA axis or preventing cortisol-mediated adiposity, particularly in elite combat athletes. This narrative review examines the relationship between psychological and physiological stress, weight cycling, low energy availability, cortisol, appetite regulation, and post-competition weight regain in combat-sport athletes. It evaluates current evidence regarding IF/TRE, body composition, exercise performance, metabolic health, circadian biology, and stress responsiveness. Particular attention is given to the potential advantages and limitations of implementing TRE during the off-season and general-preparation phases while preserving adequate energy availability, carbohydrate availability, protein distribution, hydration, recovery, and training quality.
Keywords	Intermittent fasting; time-restricted eating; combat sports; weight cycling; rapid weight loss; cortisol; HPA axis; stress; body composition; REDs; sports nutrition; yoga.
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-12

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Role of Intermittent Fasting in Modulating Stress-related Weight Gain among Combat Sport Athletes

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