Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(10): 737-741
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255115
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Body Composition and Power Changes in Elite Judo Athletes

A. M. Silva1 , D. A. Fields2 , S. B. Heymsfield3 , L. B. Sardinha1
  • 1Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Exercise and Health Laboratory, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
  • 2Children's Medical Research Institute's Diabetes and Metabolic Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma City,United States
  • 3Merck & Co., Scientific Affairs, Obesity, Rahway, United States
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision May 15, 2010

Publication Date:
19 July 2010 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the association between body composition changes, from a weight stable period to prior competition, on upper-body power in judo athletes. 27 top-level male athletes were evaluated at baseline (weight stable period) and 1–3 days before competition, with a time difference of approximately 1 month. Total body and extracellular water were estimated by dilution techniques (deuterium and bromide, respectively) and intracellular water was calculated as the difference. Body composition was assessed by DXA. A power-load spectrum was used to assess upper-body power output in a bench-press position. Comparison of means, bivariate, and partial correlations were used. Results indicate that though no significant mean changes were found in body composition and upper-body power, individual variability was large. Among all body composition changes, only total-body water (r=0.672; p<0.001) and intracellular water (r=0.596; p=0.001) were related to upper-body power variation. These associations remained significant after controlling for weight and arm lean-soft tissue changes (r=0.594, p=0.002 for total-body water; r=0.524, p=0.007 for intracellular water). These findings highlight the need for tracking total-body water, specifically the intracellular compartment in elite judo athletes in order to avoid reductions in upper-body power when a target body weight is desired prior to competition.

References

  • 1 Barac-Nieto M, Spurr GB, Lotero H, Maksud MG. Body composition in chronic undernutrition.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1978;  31 23-40
  • 2 Battistini N, Virgili F, Bedogni G. Relative expansion of extracellular water in elite male athletes compared to recreational sportsmen.  Ann Hum Biol. 1994;  21 609-612
  • 3 Bosco JS, Terjung RL, Greenleaf JE. Effects of progressive hypohydration on maximal isometric muscular strength.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1968;  8 81-86
  • 4 Casa DJ, Clarkson PM, Roberts WO. American College of Sports Medicine roundtable on hydration and physical activity: consensus statements.  Curr Sports Med Rep. 2005;  4 115-127
  • 5 Cheuvront SN, Carter 3rd R, Haymes EM, Sawka MN. No effect of moderate hypohydration or hyperthermia on anaerobic exercise performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;  38 1093-1097
  • 6 Cheuvront SN, Carter 3rd R, Sawka MN. Fluid balance and endurance exercise performance.  Curr Sports Med Rep. 2003;  2 202-208
  • 7 Costill DL, Cote R, Fink W. Muscle water and electrolytes following varied levels of dehydration in man.  J Appl Physiol. 1976;  40 6-11
  • 8 Fellmann N, Ritz P, Ribeyre J, Beaufrere B, Delaitre M, Coudert J. Intracellular hyperhydration induced by a 7-day endurance race.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  80 353-359
  • 9 Gudivaka R, Schoeller DA, Kushner RF, Bolt MJ. Single- and multifrequency models for bioelectrical impedance analysis of body water compartments.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  87 1087-1096
  • 10 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
  • 11 Haussinger D, Lang F, Gerok W. Regulation of cell function by the cellular hydration state.  Am J Physiol. 1994;  267 E343-E355
  • 12 Haussinger D, Roth E, Lang F, Gerok W. Cellular hydration state: an important determinant of protein catabolism in health and disease.  Lancet. 1993;  341 1330-1332
  • 13 Jennett S. Sweating. In: Blakemore C, Jennett S, (eds) The Oxford Companion to the Man. Oxford, UK. Oxford University Press; 2001: 667
  • 14 Judelson DA, Maresh CM, Anderson JM, Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS. Hydration and muscular performance: does fluid balance affect strength, power and high-intensity endurance?.  Sports Med. 2007;  37 907-921
  • 15 Lang F, Busch GL, Ritter M, Volkl H, Waldegger S, Gulbins E, Haussinger D. Functional significance of cell volume regulatory mechanisms.  Physiol Rev. 1998;  78 247-306
  • 16 Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R. (eds) Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics Publishers; 1988
  • 17 Lote C. Kidneys. In: Blakemore C, Jennett S, (eds) The Oxford Companion to the Body. Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press; 2001: 416-418
  • 18 Quiterio AL, Silva AM, Minderico CS, Carnero EA, Fields DA, Sardinha LB. Total body water measurements in adolescent athletes: a comparison of 6 field methods with deuterium dilution.  J Streng Cond Res. 2009;  23 1225-1237
  • 19 Sawka MN, Burke LM, Eichner ER, Maughan RJ, Montain SJ, Stachenfeld NS. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 377-390
  • 20 Sawka MN, Coyle EF. Influence of body water and blood volume on thermoregulation and exercise performance in the heat.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1999;  27 167-218
  • 21 Schoeller DA. Hydrometry. In: Heymsfield SB, Lohman TG, Wang Z, Going SB, (eds) Human Body Composition. Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics; 2005: 35-49
  • 22 Silva AM, Minderico CS, Teixeira PJ, Pietrobelli A, Sardinha LB. Body fat measurement in adolescent athletes: multicompartment molecular model comparison.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006;  60 955-964
  • 23 Viitasalo JT, Kyrolainen H, Bosco C, Alen M. Effects of rapid weight reduction on force production and vertical jumping height.  Int J Sports Med. 1987;  8 281-285
  • 24 Wang Z, Deurenberg P, Wang W, Pietrobelli A, Baumgartner RN, Heymsfield SB. Hydration of fat-free body mass: new physiological modeling approach.  Am J Physiol. 1999;  276 E995-E1003

Correspondence

Analiza MónicaSilva 

Faculty of Human Kinetics

Technical University of Lisbon

Exercise and Health Laboratory

Estrada da Costa

1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada

Portugal

Phone: +35/121/414 9160

Fax: +35/121/414 9193

Email: analiza@fmh.utl.pt