ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the common challenges faced when working with weight category and aesthetic sport athletes and provides some practical strategies on how best to support these athlete groups. Considering that athletes in most weight category sports require significant lean body mass, which increases their overall weight, there arises a conflict between building muscle and being able to compete. The approach involves selection of the most appropriate weight category for an athlete based on the weight they are able to attain and maintain while eating appropriately, training well and performing at a high level. Weight category sports are those sports where athletes are required to compete in weight categories or classes—for exmple, boxing, lightweight rowing and judo—and sports such as horseracing, where jockeys are weighed prior to every race.
