title: Effects of pre-competitional rapid weight loss on nutrition, vitamin status and oxidative stress in elite boxers.
abstract: Dietary intake, vitamin status and oxidative stress were evaluated in 17 elite male boxers. Ten of them frequently reduced body weight rapidly before competitions (Weight Loss Group) and 7 did not practice rapid weight loss (Control Group). Food record checklists, blood samples for determination of vitamin status and plasma glutathione levels were obtained during a week of weight maintenance, a pre-competition week and a post-competition week. The average dietary intakes in both groups were 33 ± 8 kcal·kg(-1), 3.7 ± 1.1 g·kg(-1) carbohydrates, 1.5 ± 0.4 g·kg(-1) protein, 1.2 ± 0.4 g·kg(-1) fat and 2.2 ± 1.0 L water per day (excluding pre-competition week in Weight Loss Group). Energy (18 ± 7 kcal·kg(-1)), carbohydrate (2.2 ± 0.8 g·kg(-1)), protein (0.8 ± 0.4 g·kg(-1)), fat (0.6 ± 0.3 g·kg(-1)) and water (1.6 ± 0.6 L) consumption (P-values <0.001) and intakes of most vitamins (P-values < 0.05) were significantly reduced during the pre-competition week in the Weight Loss Group. In both groups, the intakes of vitamins A, E and folate were below recommended values throughout the three periods; however, blood vitamin and plasma glutathione levels did not change significantly. Our findings indicate a low-caloric and low-carbohydrate diet in elite boxers, regardless of participating in rapid weight loss or not. Apparently, the pre-competitional malnutitrition in the Weight Loss Group did not induce alterations in the vitamin and glutathione status.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sports Medicine , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reljic
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jost
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dickau
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinscherf
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonaterra
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Friedmann-Bette
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001914:Boxing / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004326:Drinking; D002149:Energy Intake; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014815:Vitamins; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: antioxidants; combat sports; energy restriction; nutrient intake