Rapid weight loss practises (RWL) have become more prevalent in boxing over recent years. Despite the prevalence of such practices in higher performing athletes, the potential advantages in size and strength gained from competing in the lowest possible weight category must be balanced against the extreme risks such practices pose for health. It is unknown whether the use of such practices is related to a lack of nutritional knowledge. Following ethics approval, 65 amateur boxers (mean±SD; age 23±3 years, body mass 71±12 kg, height 177±9 cm) were recruited who met the following criteria; male, >2 years` experience, >5 contests. Boxers completed the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletes (NKQA -Furber, Roberts, and Roberts 2017) and Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ -Artioli et al. 2010), with higher scores reflecting greater nutritional knowledge and RWL respectively. Correlations between RWL and NKQA (total scores, and nutrient-specific results) were assessed. Subgroup differences in NKQA and RWL scores were analysed between different weight categories and levels of experience using a 1-way ANOVA (SPSS). The prevalence of methods of weight-loss and boxers` preferred sources of nutritional education was analysed using Friedman`s test. Total NKQA scores were 52±13 %, with no difference between experience levels (F = 0.981, p = 0.381). No relationship was apparent between either total NKQA or subs-section scores and RWL (r2 = 0.037, p = 0.772). A significant difference was apparent for boxers` most frequently used RWL methods (Chi2 = 224; p < 0.001), with `restricting fluid intake` (86 %; mean rank 9.14) and `training in sweat suit` (86 %; mean rank 8.90) most popular. The influences on boxers` weight-loss behaviours (Chi2 = 136, p = 0.001) and nutritional knowledge (Chi2 = 80.5; p < 0.001) showed significant differences between rankings, with coaches and other boxers holding the highest influence (weight-loss [mean rank] coach?=?5.68, other boxer = 5.05; nutritional knowledge [mean rank] coach = 5.11, other boxer 4.66). The current findings suggest nutritional education alone may not be an effective strategy to discourage RWL. Coaches and boxers should be educated on safe rates of weight-loss and the risks of RWL to improve current practises.
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