title: Gradual and rapid weight loss: effects on nutrition and performance in male athletes.
abstract: We studied seven male wrestlers and three judo athletes (weight 55-93 kg) during two weight reductions. In the "gradual" procedure (GP), a 5.0 +/- 0.4% (mean +/- SEM) weight loss was achieved in 3 weeks by energy restriction. In the "rapid" procedure (RP), 6.0 +/- 0.6% of body weight was lost in 2.4 days by fluid and diet restriction and forced sweating, and followed by a 5-h "loading" (food and drinks ad libitum). The net weight loss after GP and loading was 2.7 +/- 0.5%. Protein intakes (4-d food records) during GP and RP were 71 +/- 16 and RP 56 +/- 17 g.d-1, respectively. Carbohydrate intakes were 239 +/- 56 (GP) and 182 +/- 55 g.d-1 (RP). During GP and RP, mean thiamin, magnesium, and zinc intakes were at or below the respective recommendation. Thiamin, riboflavin, potassium, iron, and zinc status, assessed from blood chemistry, remained stable during both procedures. Changes in vitamin B6 indicator (E-ASTAC) and S-magnesium concentration were different (P < 0.01) between the procedures, suggesting negative trends during GP. Sprint (30-m run) and anaerobic (1-min Wingate test) performance was similar throughout the study. Following GP, vertical jump height with extra load increased by 6-8% (P < 0.01). Jumping results were not affected by RP. Hence, < or = 5% loss in body weight by either method did not impair experienced athletes' performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fogelholm
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koskinen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rankinen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ruokonen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004326:Drinking; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D016552:Ergometry; D005508:Food Deprivation; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors; D014174:Transketolase / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood; D014868:Water Deprivation; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D014952:Wrestling
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D014174:Transketolase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D008274:Magnesium; D011736:Pyridoxine