Bulimic Behaviors Among wrestlers Essay -- Health Weight Loss Sports P

Bulimic Behaviors Among wrestlers The sport of wrestling places demands for- a slim, lean body build. Wrestlers are known for their extreme weight cutting practices in order to obtain this lean build. By "cutting" to a lower weight class, the wrestler is believed to gain an advantage against a smaller opponent. Used by wrestlers preparing to weigh in for competition, weight-cutting practices typically include fluid restriction (dehydration), caloric restriction, fasting, and increased exercise. More extreme methods employ saunas, rubber or plastic workout suits, vomiting, and drugs such as diuretics and laxatives. Weekly weight fluctuations frequently exceeding 2.5 kg occur during the 24 to 48 hours preceding the match and are often repeated 15 time in a season (Oppliger, 1993). Between the weigh-in and the competition, usually -five hours, the wrestler further engages in binge eating in an attempt to rehydrate. Weight-cutting and binge eating are not restricted to international or collegiate competition,.but are also practiced by young high school wrestlers who are still maturing. A growing concern among clinicians and researchers is what influence these weight-cutting and binging behaviors have on the potential for developing eating disorders. Weight-Cutting Methods and Their Prevalence In a study conducted by Steen & McKinney (1986), data was collected from forty-two college wrestlers representing two separate teams via diet recall, a food record, a written test, interviews/questionnaires, and anthropometry. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional and weight-control practices of these wrestlers before, during, and after the wrestling season. Each wrestler was asked what me... ...the committees must also be changed in order for the problem to be more effectively solved. References Oppliger, Robert A., Harms, R.D., Herrmann, D.E., Streich, C.M., & Clark, R.R. (1995). The Wisconsin wrestling minimum weight project; a model for weight control among high school wrestlers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27, 1220-1224. Oppliger, Robert A., Landry, G.L., Foster, S.W.,, & Lambrecht, A.C. (i993). Bulimic Behaviors Among Interscholastic Wrestlers: A Statewide Survey. Pediatrics, 91, 826-831. Rarikin, Janet W., Ocel, J.V., & Craft, L.L. Effect of weight lss and refeding diet composition on anaerobic performance in wrestlers. Medicine and Science in sports and Exercise, 28, 1292-1299. Steen, Suzanne & McKinney, Shortie. Nutrition assessment of college wrestlers. Physician and Sportsmedicine 14, 100-116.