Effects of rapid weight loss on mood and performance among amateur boxers

The sport of wrestling often encourages participants to engage in extreme weight loss practices in order to compete in a weight class one to three weight categories below normal weight. This review discusses the prevalence of the problem, methods wrestlers use to accomplish weight loss, and the health and performance consequences of rapid weight loss, with particular emphasis on weight cycling and minimal safe wrestling weight assessment. Some useful and practical recommendations for minimizing extreme weight loss practices are presented. Several state wrestling associations have adjusted their rules and regulations based on recommendations by organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine to reduce the prevalence of the problem. Nevertheless, extreme weight loss continues to be a concern among health professionals, particularly with regard to health and performance.

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Rapid Weight Loss Is Not Associated With Competitive Success in Elite Youth Olympic-Style Boxers in Europe

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2016-0733 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 860-866 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Damir Zubac ◽

Hrvoje Karnincic ◽

Damir Sekulic

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Weight Management ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Rapid Weight Loss ◽

Weight Class ◽

Class Stratification ◽

Dichotomous Variable ◽

Competitive Success ◽

And Performance

Purpose: To examine the influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on competitive success in elite youth Olympic-style boxers. In addition, this study examined the practice and prevalence of weight reduction, weight-management protocols, and related symptoms in youth boxers from 12 European countries (N = 83, all males, mean [SD] age 17.1 [0.9] y). Methods: The data were collected using an extensive questionnaire on weight cutting and its associated protocols and symptoms prior to highest-level continental championships. Competition results were obtained at follow-up using a dichotomous variable: medal winning vs nonwinning at the European Championships. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that “boxing experience” was significantly related to the criterion competitive outcome (odds ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.66; Nagelkerke R2 = .11), with a higher likelihood of competitive success for more-experienced boxers. Of all the youth boxers, only 25% were included in the RWL group, irrespective of their weight-class stratification. More than 45% of all the youth boxers self-reported the simultaneous combination of different weight-cutting methods that are known to be serious health hazards. Finally, 33% of the boxers experienced muscle weakness as a consequence of RWL. Conclusions: Our study provided evidence of pathogenic weight-management protocols that are widely adopted by youth boxers, and yet the present outcomes showed that RWL did not translate into competitive success in these elite Olympic-style boxers in Europe. Therefore, the authors suggest a mandatory educational program that should simultaneously target all the mentioned issues including both health- and performance-threatening consequences.

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Effet de la perte rapide volontaire de poids au cours d’un camp d’entraînement de deux semaines sur les paramètres hydro-électrolytiques et les performances des judokas de l’élite en Côte d’Ivoire

International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences ◽

10.4314/ijbcs.v13i7.12 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3119-3130

Author(s):

Jean-Paul Kouassi ◽

N’guessan Kouame ◽

Brigitte A. Tonon ◽

Polycarpe Gouthon ◽

Basile K. Nouatin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Field Tests ◽

Rapid Weight Loss ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Training Camp ◽

Fitness Test ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

And Performance

Malgré les risques potentiels, des judokas pratiquent la perte rapide volontaire de poids en période de compétition. L’objectif de la présente étude était de mesurer les modifications induites par la perte rapide volontaire de poids (PRVP) sur les paramètres hydro-électrolytiques et les performances lors des tests de terrain, chez les judokas de Côte d’Ivoire pendant un camp d’entraînement (CE) de 15 jours. Pendant le CE, 33 judokas (22,8 ± 3,3 ans) dont 25 hommes et 8 dames ont accepté de participer à cette étude prospective. Le poids, les concentrations des électrolytes urinaires, les performances à trois tests de terrain, la densité urinaire ont été évalués juste avant et à la fin du CE. A la fin du CE, les judokas pratiquants de la PRVP (groupe PP), ont perdu en moyenne 6,0 ± 0,2% de leur poids (p < 0,001) et étaient à un niveau de déshydratation sévère, alors que chez leurs homologues non pratiquants (groupe SP), le poids n’a pas varié (p > 0,05). Dans le groupe PP, la concentration de K+ a augmenté de 32,0% (p = 0,03) tandis que le ratio Na/K, les performances au « special judo fitness test », au saut en squat et le ̇O2 max ont baissé respectivement de 31,4% (p = 0,04), 4,2% (p < 0,001), 6,5% (p < 0,0001) et 1,5% (p < 0,001). Dans le groupe SP, aucune modification significative n’a été observée (p > 0,05). Au regard des risques que la PRVP présente pour la santé et la performance, tous les acteurs devraient comprendre la nécessité en cas de besoin, de procéder par une perte lente et progressive de poids en période de préparation aux compétitions.Mots clés: Judo, test de terrain, électrolytes, perte rapide volontaire de poids, déshydratation, Afrique subsaharienne. English Title: Effect of rapid weight loss during a two-week training camp on hydro electrolytic parameters and performance of elite judokas in Ivory CoastDespite the potential risks, judokas practice rapid weight loss during competitive periods. The objective of this study was to measure the changes induced by rapid weight loss (RWL) on hydro-electrolytic parameters and performance during field tests in judokas from Ivory Coast during a 15-day training camp (TC). During the TC, 33 judokas (22.8 ± 3.3 years old) including 25 men and 8 women agreed to participate in this prospective study. Weight, urinary electrolyte concentrations, performance in three field tests, urinary density were assessed just before and at the end of the TC. At the end of the TC, the judokas practicing RWL (PP group), lost on average 6.0 ± 0.2% of their weight (p < 0.001) and were at a severe level of dehydration, while among their non-practicing counterparts (SP group), the weight did not change (p > 0.05). In the PP group, the concentration of K+ increased by 32.0% (p = 0.03) while the Na/K ratio, performance in the special judo fitness test, squat jump and VO2 max decreased by 31.4% (p = 0.04), 4.2% (p < 0.001), 6.5% (p < 0.0001) and 1.5% (p < 0.001) respectively. In the SP group, no significant changes were observed (p > 0.05). In view of the health and performance risks that the RWL poses, all stakeholders should understand the need, if necessary, to proceed with a slow and gradual weight loss during the preparation period for competitions.Keywords: Judo, field test, electrolytes, rapid weight loss, dehydration, sub-Saharan Africa.

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Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Sows’ Diet Reduces Body Weight Loss during Lactation and Increases IgG in Colostrum

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082195 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2195

Author(s):

Ester Arévalo Sureda ◽

Xuemei Zhao ◽

Valeria Artuso-Ponte ◽

Sophie-Charlotte Wall ◽

Bing Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Weight Loss ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Passive Immunity ◽

Isoquinoline Alkaloids ◽

Back Muscle ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

And Performance

Isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) exert beneficial antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that supplementing sows’ diets with IQ during gestation would decrease farrowing stress, affecting the piglets’ development and performance. Sows were divided into: IQ1, supplemented with IQ from gestation day 80 (G80) to weaning; IQ2, supplemented from gestation day 110 (G110) to weaning, and a non-supplemented (NC) group. Sow body weight (BW), feed intake, back-fat thickness and back-muscle thickness were monitored. Cortisol, glucose and insulin were measured in sows’ blood collected 5 d before, during, and after 7 d farrowing. Protein, fat, IgA and IgG were analyzed in the colostrum and milk. Piglets were monitored for weight and diarrhea score, and for ileum histology and gene expression 5 d post-weaning. IQ-supplemented sows lost less BW during lactation. Glucose and insulin levels were lower in the IQ groups compared to NC-sows 5 d before farrowing and had higher levels of protein and IgG in their colostrum. No other differences were observed in sows, nor in the measured parameters in piglets. In conclusion, IQ supplementation affected sows’ metabolism, reducing body weight loss during lactation. Providing IQ to sows from their entrance into the maternity barn might be sufficient to induce these effects. IQ improved colostrum quality, increasing the protein and IgG content, improving passive immunity for piglets.

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Antihypertensive medication needs and blood pressure control with weight loss in the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT)

Diabetologia ◽

10.1007/s00125-021-05471-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wilma S. Leslie ◽

Eman Ali ◽

Leanne Harris ◽

C. Martina Messow ◽

Naomi T. Brosnahan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Antihypertensive Medication ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Pressure Control ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Diabetes Remission ◽

Rapid Weight Loss ◽

Antihypertensive Medications ◽

Total Diet

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a planned therapeutic withdrawal of all antihypertensive and diuretic medications, on commencing a formula low-energy diet replacement, targeting remission of type 2 diabetes. Methods Post hoc analysis of changes in BP, antihypertensive medication prescriptions and symptoms during the initial total diet replacement phase was performed in the intervention arm of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (n = 143) and in the subset (n = 69) who discontinued antihypertensive medications at the start of total diet replacement. The Counterweight-Plus total diet replacement provided about 3470 kJ/day (830 kcal) with automatic reductions in all nutrients, including sodium, to achieve marked negative energy balance and rapid weight loss over 12–20 weeks, with regular BP monitoring and an antihypertensive reintroduction protocol based on current clinical guidelines. Results Of 143 intervention group participants who commenced total diet replacement, 78 (55%) were on treatment for hypertension at baseline. The overall mean BP fell significantly from the start of total diet replacement (week 1) and was significantly lower at week 20, after total diet replacement finished, and also at 12 and 24 months. Of the 78 participants previously on treatment for hypertension, 65 (83%) stopped all antihypertensive and diuretic medications as per protocol, and four (5%) stopped some drugs. These 69 participants experienced no immediate (within the first week) change in BP, but their mean BP fell significantly from 9 weeks. No excessive rises in BP were recorded in individuals, but antihypertensive medications were reintroduced during total diet replacement to manage raised BP for 19/69 (27.5%) participants, mostly within the first 3–7 weeks, despite some weight loss. Reintroduction of antihypertensive medications was necessary for 5/19 participants previously on one drug, and for 14/19 previously on two or more drugs. Of the 69 who stopped antihypertensives, 19 (28%) remained off medications at 24 months. Among the 53 participants who achieved sustained remissions of diabetes at 24 months (with a mean weight loss of 11.4 kg), 31 had been previously treated for hypertension. Twenty-seven stopped medication at baseline, and 15/27 required reintroduction of antihypertensive medications. Mild to moderate dizziness, suggesting some postural hypotension, was reported during total diet replacement by 51 participants, 15 of whom had recorded dizziness at baseline prior to starting total diet replacement, with nine of these on antihypertensive or diuretic medications. Conclusions/interpretation Replacing antihypertensive medications with a 3470 kJ/day (830 kcal) diet to induce weight loss reduces BP substantially and may increase mild dizziness. It is safe to stop antihypertensives, but BP should be monitored regularly, particularly for those taking two or more antihypertensives, as over two-thirds will require reintroduction of some medications. Long-term support to maintain weight loss is vital. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, number 03267836. Graphical abstract

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