The effect of acute dehydration on agility, quickness and balance performance in elite wrestlers

Abstract

Background and Study Aim.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute dehydration on agility, quickness and balance performance in elite wrestlers. Material and Methods. A total of 12 male elite wrestlers, who were student at Selçuk University Faculty of Sport Sciences, whose mean age was 21.58±1.44 years, the mean height of 176.67±5.87 cm, mean body weight of 74.25±17.79 kg, and the mean age of sports 8.92±1,44 years have participated the study voluntarily. After taking the height measurement of the wrestlers participating in the study, their masses were weighted before the training; and body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and total body fluid were taken with Tanita Bc 730 and agility, quickness (5 m) and balance performance tests were performed. Then, by limiting the fluid intake of the athletes, after losing weight by training, the same tests that were applied before the training applied to the athletes after the training. The study was conducted in accordance with the pre-test and post-test model. T test was used for agility performance measurement of the athletes and 5 m test was used for quickness performance. Dominant foot was determined for balance test and measurement was made via Biodex Balance System. Balance measurements were performed eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC), overall stability index (OSI). Results.  In this study, body weight, body mass index, total body fluid, agility, quickness and balance with eyes open mean values were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05), and muscle mass, body fat percentage, balance with eyes closed found not to be statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusions. It is believed that acute dehydration negatively affects agility, quickness and balance performances in wrestlers.