engleski

Gradual Weight Loss Does not Prevent Hypohydration during Preparation Period in Elite Kickboxer of Croatia

Abstract: According to present combat sports literature, acute dehydration is the most common weight-manipulating technique adopted by combat sport athletes. Over a one-month period, possible fluctuations in dehydration assessment biomarkers of elite kickboxing athletes (N = 11) are investigated. Using repeated measures (RM) ANOVA, we found significant differences in body mass (BM) (1.2% Δ) irrespective of stability in urine specific gravity (USG) and total body water values (TBW%) between trials. RM ANOVA revealed significant differences among the three trials in BM% Δ (18.73 ; df = 2 P < 0.000), whereas changes in body fat (BF%) revealed borderline values (5.61, df = 2 P < 0.02). Post-hoc analyses demonstrated significant differences between t-1 and t-2 (P < 0.001), and t-1 and t-3 (P < 0.001), in BM% Δ. Correlation analyses between hydration biomarkers and respective BM% are weak and trivial, indicating non-significant association (r = 0.03–0.26, P-values > 0.05). Hypohydration is undoubtedly overlooked by athletes and coaches in kickboxing. Notably, current weight class categories (WCC) stratification may be a pathway that facilitates the temptation of kickboxing athletes to migrate into lower WCC. Endorsement of novel and effective control mechanism besides morning weight is warranted. However, this topic remains a controversial issue and deserves special attention

Dehydration; martial arts; preparation period; urine index

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