Long-Term Effect of Weight Loss on Body Composition and Performance in Elite Athletes
2011
Garthe, Ina | Raastad, Truls | Sundgot-Borgen, Jorunn
Context: When weight loss (WL) is needed, it is recommended that athletes do it gradually by 0.5-1 kg/wk through moderate energy restriction. However, the effect of WL rate on long-term changes in body composition (BC) and performance has not been investigated in elite athletes. Purpose: To compare changes in body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), and performance 6 and 12 mo after 2 different WL interventions promoting loss of 0.7% vs. 1.4% of body weight per wk in elite athletes. Methods: Twenty-three athletes completed 6- and 12-mo postintervention testing (slow rate [SR] n = 14, 23.5 +/- 3.3 yr, 72.2 +/- 12.2 kg; fast rate [FR] n = 9, 21.4 +/- 4.0 yr, 71.6 +/- 12.0 kg). The athletes had individualized diet plans promoting the predetermined weekly WL during intervention, and 4 strength-training sessions per wk were included. BM, BC, and strength (1-repetition maximum) were tested at baseline, postintervention, and 6 and 12 mo after the intervention. Results: BM decreased by approximately 6% in both groups during the intervention but was not different from baseline values after 12 mo. FM decreased in SR and FR during the intervention by 31% +/- 3% vs. 23% +/- 4%, respectively, but was not different from baseline after 12 mo. LBM and upper body strength increased more in SR than in FR (2.0% +/- 1.3% vs. 0.8% +/- 1.1% and 12% +/- 2% vs. 6% +/- 2%) during the intervention, but after 12 mo there were no significant differences between groups in BC or performance. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between groups after 12 mo, suggesting that WL rate is not the most important factor in maintaining BC and performance after WL in elite athletes.
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