Influence of nutrient intake after weigh-in on lightweight rowing performance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of different nutritional recovery strategies between weigh-in and racing on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance among oarsmen undertaking short-term weight loss before competition.


METHODS
Competitive rowers (N = 12) completed four ergometer trials, each separated by 48 h. No weight restrictions were imposed for the first trial (TR1). Thereafter, athletes were required to reduce their body mass by 5.2% in the 24 h before trial 2 (TR2), again reaching this body mass before the final two trials (TR3 and TR4). Athletes were provided with one of three nutritional recovery strategies in the 2 h between weigh-in and racing in a counterbalanced fashion according to a Latin square design: fluid (2.8 kJ.kg(-1), 0.0 g.kg(-1) carbohydrate, 0.6 mg.kg(-1) sodium, 28.5 mL.kg(-1) fluid; FLU), carbohydrate/sodium (45.3 kJ.kg(-1), 2.2 g.kg(-1) carbohydrate, 32.9 mg.kg(-1) sodium, 7.2 mL.kg(-1) fluid; CHO), and a combination of water and carbohydrate/sodium (44.8 kJ.kg(-1), 2.3 g.kg(-1) carbohydrate, 33 mg.kg(-1) sodium, 28.5 mL.kg(-1) fluid; COM).


RESULTS
Performance was slower for CHO compared with both COM (mean difference, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.37-6.88 s; P = 0.003) and FLU (2.88; 95% CI, 0.13-5.63 s; P = 0.039). However, FLU was not significantly slower than COM (1.24; 95% CI, -1.41 to 3.90 s; P = 0.474).


CONCLUSIONS
The present investigation has shown that although carbohydrate and sodium intake may be important in the recovery period between weigh-in and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance, fluid intake has a greater influence on performance among lightweight male rowers who undertake short-term weight loss to achieve specified body-mass limits.
Slater
Gary J
GJ
Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Australia.
Rice
Anthony J
AJ
Sharpe
Ken
K
Jenkins
David
D
Hahn
Allan G
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D002149:Energy Intake; D016552:Ergometry; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012767:Ships; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis