Effect of a Rapid Weight Loss and Short Period Recovery Program on Anaerobic Power and Body Composition in Non-elite Wrestlers

Abstract

Purpose: The present study was to investigate changes in body composition factors and anaerobic power 
performance indexes in non-elite wrestlers after a rapid weight loss involving a combination of food 
restriction, fluid deprivation and dehydration methods and after a short recovery period with adequate food and 
ad labium fluid intake. 
Material and Methods: 16 male, amateur wrestlers [age 20± 1ys, BMI 23.2±.3kg/m²]with weight classes of 
60 & 66 kg who participated in a province tournament, volunteered to take part in the study. Changes in body 
composition factors and anaerobic power performance were evaluated using caliper skin fold method and Rast 
field test respectively, under three conditions: 1) basal or pre-weigh cutting 2) immediately following weight 
loss 3) after 6 hours of recovery from weight loss by taking adequate food and fluids. Data analysis included
one-way ANOVA and the significant level was set at p≤0. 05.
Results: Data showed that significant differences occurred in the absolute and relative peak, mean and low 
power values, as well as in fat percentage, total weight and BMI between the base line level, immediately 
following weight loss and short recovery period (6 hours)[p≤0. 05].
Discussion and Conclusion: The results indicated that immediately after weight loss and after 6 hours of 
recovery from weight loss prior to province competition, the participants lost 5% of their total body weight 
which is higher than ACSM and NSAA recommendations. This reduction led to a decline in anaerobic power 
performance and anthropometric profile of the amateur wrestlers

Keywords

• Rapid weight loss
• Wrestlers
• Power
• Short time recovery

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