Do acute weight loss and gain affect hydration status in adolescent wrestlers?

Abstract

Background & Study Aim: The rapid weight loss and gain is a common practice in wrestlers within a week before the competition. The aim of this study was the effects of rapid weight loss and gain before official weigh-in, along with during the competition in adolescent wrestlers. Material & Methods: Twenty-four collegiate wrestlers (twelve of them as the competitors, other as non-competitor wrestlers) volunteered as subjects in the present study. Body composition was assessed by using a bioelectrical impedance device (bioelectrical impedance analysis; abbreviation BIA). Hydration status was determined via to urine specific gravity (USGV) that taken urine samples. The body mass and hydration status were evaluated: seven days before official weigh in (a); three days before the official weigh-in (b); morning of the official weigh-in (c); the official weigh-in time (d); before the beginning of the first bout (e); the following day morning (f). Results: There was a significant difference in body weight changes between the first weight assessment (a) and weigh in competition (d) in competitor wrestlers (p<0.05). In hydration status, there was a significant difference between the first USGV analysis (a) and other assessments (b, c, d, e, f) (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in hydration status between the weigh-in competition USGV (d) and others (e, f) (p>0.05). Conclusion: The duration of the official weigh-in and the competition is not enough for wrestlers to rehydrate. The process of weight loss and hydration status should be monitored by coaches, not before a week but in a long time. Individual fluid intake strategies should be developed for athletes to be minimising dehydration risk before and during the competition.