CombatSports — Season 2 — ATHLETE PERFORMANCE NUTRITION

SEASON 2, EPISODE #43

Dr. Bubbs sits down with nutrition expert Dr. Doug Kalman PhD to talk about the physical demands of mixed-martial arts, boxing and other combat sports, the pre-camp testing Doug likes to use to assess his athletes, how far out from competition is ideal to start cutting weight, the reality of making weight on short notice, the dangers of old-school weight-making strategies during weigh-in week as well as Doug’s preferred methods to achieve the target weight. Doug also shares how a fighter's nutrition changes from weigh-in to fight night, factors to consider when traveling, and explains how combat sports are “chess with consequences”.

Summary ofEpisode

1:00 – How Doug got interested in nutrition

3:00 – What are the demands of combat sports?

5:45 – Pre-camp testing for combat sports

11:50 – Body composition assessment in fighters

14:45 – How far out from weigh-in is ideal in combat sports?

17:30 – Target weekly calorie deficits and bodyweight loss

19:00 – Meal frequency and weight-cutting

21:20 – Resting metabolic rate over a season with weight-cutting

23:10 – Acute old-school vs. evidence-based strategies during weigh-in week.

28:20 – Post-weigh in nutrition to perform on fight night

36:45 – Pre-fight meal – factors to consider

43:00 – Combat sports = “chess with consequences”

45:15 – Doug’s one piece of advice for fighters

About Dr. Doug Kalman PhD

Dr. Doug Kalman PhD is the co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Nutrasource, Adjunct Professor of Sports Nutrition at Nova Southeastern University, Sports Nutritionist for Hardknocks 365 (MMA training facility) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA), as well as a consultant to numerous professional and elite athletes. Follow Doug on Twitter @dougkalmanphdrd and Instagram @dougkalman.