Acute and long-term weight loss and weight gain in elite athletes: influences on body composition and performance
Abstract
Many athletes attempt to change their weight in order to enhance their competitive
performance level. Weight loss is generally motivated by a desire to optimise
performance by improving power to weight ratio, making weight in order to compete in
a certain weight category, or due to aesthetic reasons in sports that emphasise leanness.
Weight gain is generally motivated by a desire to optimise performance by increasing
muscle mass and thereby improving strength and power. Due to the negative effects of
rapid weight loss and longer periods of restricted energy intake, existing literature
recommends a gradual weight loss through moderate energy restriction and promotes a
weekly weight loss of 0.5-1 kg. The same theoretical recommendation exists for weight
gain; a moderate energy surplus for a gradual weight gain corresponding to a weekly
weight gain of 0.5-1 kg. However, although recommended, the effect of such a weekly
weight loss or gain on body composition and performance in elite athletes has not been
examined. Further, the long-term effect on body composition and performance of such
interventions is yet to be investigated. Paper I: Garthe I, Raastad T, Refsnes PE, Koivisto A, Sundgot-Borgen J. Effect of two
different weight-loss rates on body composition and strength and power related
performance in elite athletes. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and
Exercise Metabolism. 2011, April:97-104. Paper II: Garthe I, Raastad T, Sundgot-Borgen J. Long-term effect of weight loss on body
composition and performance in elite athletes. In press in International Journal
of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Paper III: Garthe I, Raastad T, Refsnes P, Sundgot-Borgen J. Effect of nutritional
intervention on body composition and performance in elite athletes. Submitted to
European Journal of Sport Science (resubmitted with minor changes). Paper IV: Garthe I, Raastad T, Sundgot-Borgen J. Long-term effect of nutritional counseling
during weight gain in elite athletes. In press in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and
Metabolism.
Description
Avhandling (doktorgrad) - Norges idrettshøgskole, 2011.