WRESTLING PRACTICE CAUSES SIGNIFICANT SHORT-PERIOD CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION

Bonitatis, M. P., Oakman, J. E., Desiderio, A. M., Neal, M. P., Cromwell, C. M., Ryder, C. W., Good, N. M., Lenzo, J. M., Aichele, K. R., Brown, M. D., & Feairheller, D. L. (2014). Effects of acute exercise on blood pressure and body composition in Division III wrestlers. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), Supplement abstract number 248.

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This study investigated the effects of an acute exercise session on blood pressure and body composition in wrestlers (N = 18). Ss went to the laboratory on four separate occasions within a 3-day period for three measurements taken after a 12-hour fast and one measurement taken after a team workout. All Ss passed the NCAA required hydration test to participate in the study. For body composition, while Ss were supine, three recordings were collected using a hand-leg BIA device. An average was determined. On the third day, wrestlers also came directly to the laboratory after a team workout and measurements were collected within 30 minutes. The workout lasted two hours and consisted of 30-second intervals of anaerobic activity including shooting drills, footwork skills, and sprints.

There were no significant differences in diet variables over the three-day period No significant changes occurred in body composition over the three-day testing period; the only variable to change was diastolic blood pressure. With acute exercise, systolic blood pressure, fat-free mass, and total-body water all increased. With acute exercise, weight, fat mass, body fat, body mass index, and basal metabolic rate all decreased.

Implication. In collegiate wrestlers, body composition over a 3-day period is consistent. Changes in body composition occur with acute exercise. [No control group was used in the exercise phase of the study.

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