Abstract des Autors

It has been suggested that weight cycling may lead to physiological adaptations that cause resistance to future weight loss. Athletes who compete in judo represent an athletic model of weight cycling. Two matched groups of male judokas were observed: weight cyclers (n = 9) and noncyclers (n = 9). Resting energy expenditure, skinfold and girth measures, serum glucose, insulin and triiodothyronine levels, and 3-day dietary intakes were determined three times within a 1-year period. The weight cyclers lost 4.1 +/- 1.5 kg (mean +/- SD) an average of 4.2 +/- 2.7 times per season and quickly regained the weight between competitions. There was no significant difference in metabolic or biochemical parameters between groups during any of the three test sessions. This study suggests that there is no prolonged effect of weight cycling in this athletic population. Verf.-Referat