Investigation of the Effect of Rapid Weight Loss on Anaerobic Performance, Lactic Acid, and Creatine Kinase Values in Wrestlers

NCT07567937 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2268
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Wrestling is a weight-classified sport in which athletes frequently apply rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies prior to competition. While the performance-related consequences of RWL have been widely investigated, its combined effects with exercise on hematological parameters and immune cell profiles remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of short-term weight loss and exercise on whole blood cell parameters and lymphocyte subsets in elite wrestlers. Nine elite male wrestlers actively competing in the senior category (mean age: 22.90 ± 5.15 years; mean height: 1.75 m) voluntarily participated in this study. Athletes will achieve an average body mass reduction of 4.3% over a five-day period. Venous blood samples will be collected at 09:30 a.m. in a fasted state during two experimental phases: (1) Exercise-only phase, with blood sampling before and after exercise (BRWL1 and BRWL2); (2) Exercise plus weight loss phase, following the five-day weight loss period, with blood sampling before and after exercise (ARWL1 and ARWL2). Complete blood count parameters will be analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer, while lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD16/56+) will be assessed by flow cytometry. Statistical analyses will be performed with a significance level set at p \< 0.05.

Conditions

Weight Loss; Exercise; Rapid Weight Loss

Keywords

Complete Blood Count; Exercise; Flow Cytometry; Lymphocyte Subsets; Immune System; Rapid Weight Loss

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Change in Leukocyte Count

  Change in total white blood cell (WBC) count measured from pre- to post-exercise

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in Lymphocyte Percentage

  Change in percentage of lymphocytes relative to total WBC count, measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in CD3+ T Cell Count

  Change in absolute count of CD3+ T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in CD4+ T Cell Count

  Change in absolute count of CD4+ helper T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in CD8+ T Cell Count

  Change in absolute count of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in CD19+ B Cell Count

  Change in absolute count of CD19+ B lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

• Change in CD16/56+ NK Cell Count

  Change in absolute count of CD16/56+ natural killer (NK) cells measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Creatine Kinase and Lactic Acid Levels

  Pre-exercise and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

Study Arms (2)

Exercise

OTHER

Participants performed a standardized wrestling exercise session on the first day of testing. Venous blood samples were collected pre- and post-exercise (pre-exercise: BRWL1; post-exercise: BRWL2) to evaluate hematological and lymphocyte subset responses.

Other: Exercise

Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss

OTHER

Participants underwent a 5-day rapid weight loss protocol prior to the exercise session, achieving an average body mass reduction of 4.3%. On the fifth day, the same standardized exercise protocol as Group 1 was performed, and pre- and post-exercise blood samples were collected (pre-exercise: ARWL1; post-exercise: ARWL2) to evaluate hematological and lymphocyte subset responses.

Other: Exercise; Other: Rapid Weight Loss

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Standardized wrestling exercise session; pre- and post-exercise venous blood collected

Also known as: Behavioral

Exercise; Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss

Rapid Weight Loss OTHER

5-day rapid weight loss protocol achieving average 4.3% body mass reduction

Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being between 18 and 35 years of age
• Being clinically healthy
• Actively competing in wrestling
• Having regular training experience
• No history of chronic disease
• No musculoskeletal injury that could affect performance
• Not using any medication or nutritional supplements that could influence hematological or biochemical parameters during the study period
• Willing to volunteer and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Having any chronic disease (e.g., cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, or neurological disorders)
• Having a recent musculoskeletal injury that could affect exercise performance
• Using medications, ergogenic aids, or nutritional supplements that might influence hematological or biochemical parameters
• Having a history of smoking or alcohol abuse
• Failing to complete the testing procedures and training protocol required for the study
• Not providing written informed consent
• Withdrawing voluntarily during the study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Sports Sciences Laboratory

Ankara, Ankara, 06000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Weight Loss; Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Body Weight Changes; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start: June 21, 2021
• Primary Completion: April 3, 2022
• Study Completion: October 10, 2022
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)