This study evaluated hydration status, lean mass and fat mass loss, and any participation in rapid weight loss over the course of one competitive DII collegiate wrestling season. A total of 10 male participants aged 19-23 years volunteered for this study. All participants competed in varsity matches for a Division II collegiate wrestling team. The ten participants all completed the weight class certifications following the NCAA protocol on 10/22114. The protocol requires wrestlers to be hydrated with a urine specific gravity of 1.020 sp. gr. or less prior to being officially weighed or measuring body composition. Nine of those wrestlers competed in a wrestling dual at the second data collection on 1/9115, while only five competed in the wrestling dual on the final collection date on 2/13115. On average, the wrestlers (n=9) lost 3.89 ± 2.34 pounds off at mass and 3.11 ± 3.31 pounds of lean mass over the 12-week period from the initial certification date to the 2nd test date. Additionally, on average the wrestlers (n=5) lost 3.69 ± 2.80 pounds of fat mass and 2.30 ± 5.25 pounds of lean mass over the 17-week period from initial certification to the final test date. A related-samples McNemer test was conducted to determine significance from the expected hydration status and the actual hydration status of the wrestlers. Eighty-nine percent of wrestlers (n=9) had a urine specific gravity above 1.020 sp. gr. at the time of official weigh-ins for the 2nd hydration test date; 100% of the wrestlers (n=5) had a urine specific gravity above 1.020 sp. gr. at the time of the final test date. A urine specific gravity above 1.020 sp.gr. indicates the wrestler is in a dehydrated state according to NCAA standards. No significant findings were reported for weekly weight loss as the wrestlers used official weigh-ins when recording weight. The wrestlers did not record a weight 24-48 hours prior to the official weigh-ins, so rapid weight loss could not be observed. The findings of this study suggest that even though individual weight loss over the course of a wrestling season is better controlled, wrestlers are dehydrated just an hour prior to competition, and also are losing a combination of fat mass and lean mass. A wrestler’s performance may be negatively affected as a result of dehydration and lean mass loss. Additionally, dehydration may increase the wrestler's chance of experiencing exertional heat illnesses.
