Physiology of wrestlers` dehydration

Year 2013, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 1 - 10, 08.08.2013

Asim Cengız Bilal Demirhan

Abstract

Rapid weight loss via dehydration has profound adverse effects on the wrestler's physiology and muscular
endurance even with %1 of body weight loss. Additionally, there is a decline after 4% of weight loss in strength
or anaerobic power performance. However, these adverse effects do not seem to impair muscle strength
during high-power exertions lasting less than 30 seconds. In fact, for athletes participating in brief-duration,
high- power sports, rapid weight loss may give them an advantage by increasing power on a pound for pound
basis. But, as strenuous exercise is extended, environmental temperatures rise, and degree of dehydration
increases performance will ultimately suffer. The negative effects of dehydration on cardiovascular fitness
parameters seem to repair faster compared to strength and power values. Several studies indicated while
weight cycling has acute effects on performance, augmentation in body weight and muscular performance of
the wrestlers occurs subsequent to the wrestling season. Several studies also indicated some negative
psychological effects of dehydration on wrestlers' performance: increased fatigue, anger, and anxiety,
decrements in mood and motivation, and increased confusion. Still, more studies are needed in these areas.
Weight loss due to the dehydration can potentially affect wrestlers' health negatively. However, it was found
that there are no considerable health effects of dehydration on wrestling. However, more studies are needed to
strengthen these results since there are not many studies about the long-term effects of dehydration on
hormonal, psychological and health status of wrestlers.

Keywords

Dehydration; endurance; anxiety; strength; resting metabolic rate

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