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Old 05-30-2006, 01:13 PM   #17 (permalink)
thingstodo
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Location: The Great White North
Oops...I must have touched a nerve. Sorry about that! But I also just can't agree.

What you said rarely works that way. The person dropping 8 lbs. of water is nearly dehydrated with low electrolytes and minimal fuel and they can't think properly. The other person is feeling good. Any weight advantage is usually trumped by by those factors. You just can't rehydrate fast enough. And only the pro boxers have a day between weigh-in and the bout; everyone else does it prior to the competition.

Perhaps we should just agree to disagree! Or perhaps not. Here's a link. Read on...

http://www.iahsaa.org/wu98-1.htm

Medical authorities recommend losing no more than two pounds per week. When this is done through increased exercise and decreased calorie intake, weight loss will be due primarily to fat loss. It may be possible for some athletes to lose a maximum of four pounds in a week without dehydration, but muscle tissue will be lost along with the fat. It is not possible to lose weight faster than this without dehydration occurring. Losing more than 2% of one's body weight (3 pounds for a 150 pound individual) in less than 24-48 hours will result in a decrease in aerobic performance and endurance. Losing more than 5% of one's body weight (7 ½ pounds in a 150 pound individual) in less than three-four days (72-96 hours) will negatively effect power, muscle endurance, aerobic performance, muscle strength especially in the large muscle groups of the legs, and mental concentration. Such weight loss can also decrease the body's ability to cool itself. Losing more than 2% in 24-48 hours or 5% in 72-96 hours does not seem to have any negative effect on performance lasting less than thirty (30) seconds.

Quick weight loss methods used to lose weight at a rate greater than 2% in 24-48 hours or 5% in less than 72-96 hours generally include excessive exercise, excessive food restriction, fasting, and dehydration. These methods primarily reduce the body's water and energy supplies, and cause more muscle loss than fat loss. Rule 4-4-4 of the national high school wrestling rule book states," The use of sweat boxes; whirlpools; rubber, vinyl, and plastic type suits; or other artificial heating devices; diuretics; or other methods for quick weight reduction purposes is prohibited and shall disqualify the individual from competition." That has been a national rule since the 1979-80 season and has been an Iowa High School Athletic Association rule much longer. Methods of quick weight loss are not only detrimental to health and performance, they are also against the rules.

Water is the most important nutrient, therefore, the most dangerous weight loss practices involve restricting fluid intake or otherwise dehydrating the body. It is not possible to adapt one's body to dehydration. The body does not function more efficiently without water by forcing it to go through repeated bouts of dehydration. The greater the degree of dehydration the poorer one's performance and the greater the risk of health and medical problems. Research indicates it is impossible to completely rehydrate the body in less than 24-48 hours. The longer the body has been dehydrated, the longer the rehydration process will take. Research also indicates water loss due to diuretics or laxatives takes much longer to replace than water loss due to exercise. Also, the use of diuretics and laxatives can cause the body to retain more fluid upon rehydration, thus causing a greater weight gain. These methods should absolutely be avoided.

For those individuals involved in weight reduction some experts offer the following advice to help minimize complications:

1) DO NOT restrict fluid intake.
2) Reduce bulk-forming foods (such as high-fiber cereals, raw fruits and vegetables) from the diet 1-2 days before weigh-in.
3) Decrease food and fluid intake for the absolute shortest time possible in order to make weight.
4) Immediately after weigh-in, begin rehydrating the body with a glucose/electrolyte replacement fluid or water.
5) Remember rehydration takes at least 24-48 hours.
6) Chronic weakness, tiredness, or being light-headed may indicate weight loss which is too severe.

In summary, excessive weight loss, especially through dehydration, can be detrimental to a student-athlete's health and performance. Coaches are asked to follow these guidelines when working with student-athletes involved in weight reduction:

1) No student-athlete should engage in methods of quick, rapid weight loss.
2) No student-athlete should be allowed to participate below the minimum percent body fat recommended by the ACSM without first having medical clearance.
3) No coach should encourage student-athletes to restrict fluid intake.
4) Every coach should closely monitor student-athletes losing weight.
5) Every wrestling coach should use body composition testing as a guideline to determining safe, minimal wrestling weight.
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So, I think I've supported my position with outside sources. Tag, you're it!
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Last edited by thingstodo; 05-30-2006 at 03:41 PM..
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