Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science, Human Performance

First Advisor

Chad Kerksick

Second Advisor

Kate Tessmer

Third Advisor

Paul Wright

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the physiological responses of female collegiate wrestlers to weight cutting practices and their impact on performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of rapid weight loss (R WL) and dehydration on the performance of female collegiate wrestlers one hour post RWL, and 12-hours postRWL.

METHODS: Five female collegiate wrestlers (age= 20.0 ± l .2 yrs, 62.9±2.2 in., 152.9±32.5 fbs., 27.24±3.33% body fat) underwent a pre-competition style period ofRWL where they voluntary cut 5.3 ± 0.2% of their initial body mass in four days. Performance tests were performed prior to RWL, 1 b post RWL, and 12 h post RWL and included urine specific gravity, body composition (using DEXA), peak aerobic capacity, ventilatory thresholds and anaerobic capacity.

RESULTS: From initial testing (1.008±0.007) to immediately post RWL ( 1.030±0.003) there was a significant increase in 11:rine specific gravity (p=0.02). Absolute peak V02 values (Umin) did not change between testing conditions (p>0.05); as expected relative V02 values significantly increased one hour after RWL, but normalized after 12 hours (p > 0.05). Wingate peak power production tended (p = 0.06) to increase (PRE: 626 ± 200 W vs. 1 b post R WL: 653 ± 165 W) (p = 0.06). While mean values of fatigue index increased systematically, no statistical significance was revealed.

CONCLUSION: This study found several confounding results in aerobic performance and anaerobic power when in a dehydrated state, but more testing must be done in order to confirm these findings.

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