Effect of rapid weight loss on performance in combat sport male athletes: does adaptation to chronic weight cycling play a role?

BACKGROUND: Studies failing to show a negative effect of rapid weight loss (RWL) on performance have been conducted in athletes who have been cycling weight for years. It has been suggested that chronic weight cycling could lead combat athletes to become resistant to the stresses associated with weight loss. To investigate the effects of RWL up to 5% of body mass on high-intensity intermittent performance in weight cyclers (WC) and non-weight cyclers (non-WC). METHODS: Eighteen male combat athletes (WC: n=10; non-WC: n=8) reduced up to 5% of their body mass in 5 days. Body composition, high-intensity performance and plasma lactate were assessed preweight loss and postweight loss. Athletes had 4 h to re-feed and rehydrate following the weigh-in. Food intake was recorded during the weight loss and the recovery periods. RESULTS: Athletes significantly decreased body mass, lean body mass (most likely due to fluid loss) and fat mass following weight loss. No significant changes in performance were found from preweight loss to postweight loss in both groups. Plasma lactate was significantly elevated after exercise in both groups, but no differences were found between groups and in response to RWL. For all these variables no differences were observed between groups. Athletes from both groups ingested high amounts of energy and carbohydrates during the recovery period after the weigh-in. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic weight cycling does not protect athletes from the negative impact of RWL on performance. The time to recover after weigh-in and the patterns of food and fluid ingestion during this period is likely to play the major role in restoring performance to baseline levels.

Efeitos benéficos do exercício físico nas epilepsias: o judô faz parte deste contexto?: [revisão] / Positive effects of physical exercise in epilepsy: does judo part of this context?: [review]

INTRODUÇÃO: Pessoas com epilepsia tem sido constantemente desaconselhadas a participarem de atividades físicas ou esportivas por receio do exercício provocar crises epilépticas. Apesar da atitude médica atual recomendando a participação em atividades esportivas, o estigma ainda persiste e as pessoas com epilepsia continuam menos ativas que a população em geral. OBJETIVOS: Neste sentido, vários estudos clínicos e experimentais têm demonstrado um efeito benéfico do exercício físico na epilepsia. O judô é um esporte tradicional e popular e pessoas com epilepsia freqüentemente perguntam aos médicos se podem participar deste tipo de esporte. CONCLUSÃO: Baseado nestas questões, este artigo de revisão propõe avaliar os riscos e benefícios da atividade física em pessoas com epilepsia e discutir o papel do judô neste contexto.

INTRODUCTION: Persons with epilepsy have previously been discouraged from participation in physical activity and sports for fear of inducing seizures or increasing seizure frequency. Despite a shift in medical recommendations toward encouraging rather than restricting participation, the stigma remains and persons with epilepsy continue to be less active than the general population. OBJECTIVES: In these lines, several clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated a positive effect of physical exercise on epilepsy. Judo is a traditional and popular sport and people with epilepsy often ask physicians whether they may engage in this sport. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this, our review article is designed to show the risks and benefits of physical activity in patients with epilepsy and discusses the role of judo in this context.