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.
Key words
intracellular water - total-body water - upper-body power - dilution methods
References
Correspondence
analiza@fmh.utl.pt
