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ABSTRACT.
Rapid weight reduction techniques that emphasize severe restrictions of food intake and water consumption during a short period of time are commonly employed by wrestlers before weigh-in. Along with the negative effects of rapid weight loss on a wrestler's physiological functions, we investigated leptin and adiponectin levels and insulin resistance in young wrestlers during their rapid weight loss program. Fifteen freestyle wrestlers were randomly selected as the subjects. They had a mean of age 23±1y and anthropometric characteristics of: weight 67.6±0.8, BMI 22.5±0.21 kg/m2, body fat percentage 6.12±0.18, waist-to-hip circumference ratio 0.82±0.08. Caloric intake (mean 7 days measured by food analyzer software) and anthropometric characteristics were measured by standard methods. The concentrations of the leptin and adiponectin hormones and insulin resistance index were measured with a sandwich ELISA kit method and (HOMA) from fasting glucose and insulin levels, respectively. Rapid weight loss program with a 4% weight loss had a significant impact on anthropometric factors, with decreasing leptin level, insulin resistance, and increased beta cell function, while the levels of adiponectin did not significantly change after weight loss. Rapid weight loss has harmful physiological effects on wrestler's bodies, but can be associated with improvements in the regulation of fatty acid, glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance.