Brian Syverson & Stephanie Mackenthun '10

Weight Loss, dehydration practices and serum electrolyte levels in division III wrestlers

The death of three wrestlers in 1997 results in the NCAA instituting a Wrestling Weight-Certification Program [WWCP], which determined rules to limit weight loss procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess weight loss practices and potential adverse changes in serum electrolytes. Twelve wrestlers participated in the study: body weights, diet information, blood and urine samples were collected prior to weigh-in on competition day. Mean urine osmolality was 962 ± 207 mOsm/L (range 730-1310 mOsmol/L) and 68% of the wrestlers were significantly dehydrated prior to competition. The average weight loss to make weight was 2.1 ± 0.9 kg (range 0-4.1 kg). the mean serum sodium level the day of competition was 142.7 ± 2.2 mmol/L (138-146 mmol/L) and mean serum potassium levels were 4.2 mmol/L ± 0.5 (normal range 3.5-4.0 mmol/L). Wrestlers still use dehydration to make weight; however, the current magnitude of weight loss does not appear to affect serum electrolytes.