Olkho yi e al., 2025.
Ulusla a ası Sağlık, Egze siz e Spo Bilimle i De gisi, (2024)
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h,
Exe cise, and Spo Sciences
(IJOSS) ISSN: 3023-8382
RESEARCH ARTICLE / A aş ı ma Makalesi Open Access/Açık E işim
IJOSS
© The Au ho (s), 2024. Open Access.
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Resul s o a su ey o highly quali ied powe li e s and coaches
ega ding app oaches o p e-compe i ion body weigh
egula ion
Oleh Olkho yi1, Na alya Didyuk2, Oleksand Tykho skyi3, Maksymo a Ka e yna4
Abs ac
The a icle analyzes he ea u es o p e-compe i ion body weigh egula ion in emale
powe li e s based on he esul s o an online su ey o emale a hle es (n=29) and powe li ing
coaches (n=16). The equency, du a ion, me hods, and olumes o body weigh loss, as well as
hei impac on emale a hle es' s eng h indica o s, we e iden i ied. I was ound ha highly
quali ied emale a hle es mo e o en use apid weigh loss me hods (1---3 days be o e he
compe i ion), lose mo e han 5 kg and mainly use s a a ion. Simul aneously, quali ied emale
a hle es demons a e g ea e a iabili y o app oaches and a e mo e o en nega i ely a ec ed
by s eng h abili ies. The da a ob ained om coaches gene ally con i m he ends iden i ied
among emale a hle es. The esul s o he s udy can be used o op imize s a egies o p e-
compe i ion body weigh egula ion in emale a hle es in powe spo s in gene al and in
powe li ing in pa icula , aking in o accoun indi idual cha ac e is ics and le el o quali ica ion.
Keywo ds: powe li ing, weigh loss, p e-compe i ion aining, s eng h spo s.
Öz
Bu çalışma, kadın powe li ing spo cula ı a asında ge çekleş i ilen çe im içi bi anke in
sonuçla ına dayana ak ya ışma öncesi ücu ağı lığı düzenleme s a ejile inin özellikle ini
incelemek edi (spo cu n=29; an enö n=16). A aş ı mada ağı lık kaybının sıklığı, sü esi,
kullanılan yön emle e mik a la ı ile bu uygulamala ın spo cula ın ku e pe o mansı
üze indeki e kile i değe lendi ilmiş i . Bulgula , üs düzey kadın spo cula ın ya ışmadan 1---3 gün
önce uygulanan hızlı ağı lık kaybı yön emle ini daha yaygın şekilde e cih e ikle ini, 5 kg’dan
azla ağı lık kaybı ge çekleş i dikle ini e çoğunlukla açlık emelli yön emle i kullandıkla ını
gös e mek edi . Buna ka şın, daha düşük se iyedeki spo cula ın ağı lık yöne imi yaklaşımla ında
daha azla çeşi lilik olduğu e bu sü eç en ku e pe o mansla ının daha olumsuz e kilendiği
beli lenmiş i . An enö le den elde edilen e ile , spo cula a asında gözlenen eğilimle i büyük
ölçüde doğ ulamak adı . Elde edilen sonuçla , güç spo la ında e özellikle powe li ing
b anşında, spo cula ın bi eysel özellikle i e ye e lilik düzeyle i dikka e alına ak ya ışma öncesi
ağı lık düzenleme s a ejile inin geliş i ilmesi e op imize edilmesi için önem aşımak adı .
Anah a Kelimele Powe li ing, ağı lık kaybı, ya ışma öncesi hazı lık, güç spo la ı.
h ps://www.ijoss.o g/A chi e/issue2- olume2/ijoss-Volume2-issue2-13.pd
*Co espondence:
Oleh Olkho yi
0000-0002-5223-5229
1Kha ki S a e Academy o Physical
Cul u e, Kha ki Doc o o Sciences,
P o esso , Vice-Rec o o Resea ch
0000-0002-5223-5229
2Kha ki Na ional Uni e si y o
Radio Elec onics, Uk aine,Kha ki
Ac ing Head o he Depa men o
Physical Educa ion and Spo s
O cid: 0009-0006-3371-2719
3Kha ki S a e Academy o Physical
Cul u e, Kha ki , Candida e o
Sciences in Physical Educa ion,
Associa e P o esso o he
Depa men o Heal h, Fi ness and
Rec ea ion O cid: 0000-0003-1779-
0849
4Kha ki S a e Academy o Physical
Cul u e, Kha ki , Candida e o
Sciences in Physical Educa ion,
Associa e P o esso o he
Depa men o Heal h, Fi ness and
Rec ea ion
O cid: 0000-0003-2027-662
h ps://doi.o g/10.5281/zenodo.17660763
Recei ed / Gönde im: 27.05.2025
Accep ed / Kabul: 25.06.2025
Published / Yayın: 30.06.2025
Volume 2, Issue 2, June, 2025
Cil 2, Sayı 2, Hazi an, 2025
Olkho yi e al., 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, Issue 2, June
2025 Page 136 o 145
In oduc ion
Socce In mode n eli e spo , weigh li ing compe i ions equi e a hle es o achie e an
op imal combina ion o s eng h, echnique, and p ecisely con olled body weigh . One
spo whe e his balance is c i ical is powe li ing, whe e placing wi hin a gi en weigh
class is o en he esul o weigh egula ion du ing he compe i ion p epa a ion pe iod.
While his p ac ice allows a hle es o compe e in a ligh e weigh class and po en ially
gain a compe i i e ad an age, apid weigh loss is associa ed wi h physiological,
me abolic, and psychological isks ha can nega i ely impac a hle ic pe o mance,
eco e y, and o e all heal h (Mendes e al., 2013; Reale e al., 2017; Ma ínez-A anda e
al., 2023).
Cu en ly, he scien i ic li e a u e is inc easingly ocused on he s udy o me hods o
p e-compe i ion body weigh egula ion in mixed ma ial a s, w es ling, and
weigh li ing (Ma a e al., 2019; Reale e al., 2017). Howe e , he speci ics o powe li ing,
cha ac e ized by maximum, sho - e m e o s, emain insu icien ly s udied in he
con ex o body weigh loss. The p oblem is especially acu e o emale powe li e s, in
whom body weigh egula ion may be accompanied by addi ional di icul ies associa ed
wi h ho monal backg ound and psycho-emo ional s abili y (Che nozub e al., 2025;
Tykho skyi e al., 2021).
Cu en ly, he e is no sys ema ic da a on common weigh managemen s a egies
among emale powe li e s and he speci ics o hei implemen a ion depending on he
quali ica ion le el and coaching suppo . The a ailable ecommenda ions a e o en
agmen a y.
The pu pose o he s udy is o iden i y he ea u es o p e-compe i ion body weigh
egula ion in women in ol ed in powe li ing by su eying leading expe s in he
indus y.
Ma e ials and Me hods
To s udy he ea u es o p e-compe i ion body weigh egula ion in emale powe li e s,
an online su ey was conduc ed among a hle es and coaches wo king in he ield o
powe spo s. 45 esponden s pa icipa ed in he su ey, including 29 cu en a hle es
and 16 powe li ing coaches. The su ey was conduc ed in Uk ainian using he Google
Fo ms pla o m du ing Janua y–Feb ua y 2021 a he Kha ki S a e Academy o Physical
Cul u e. The ques ionnai e included ques ions abou p ac ices o educing body weigh
be o e compe i ions, he equency and du a ion o use o ce ain me hods, expec ed and
ac ual esul s, as well as subjec i e a i udes owa ds he e ec i eness and sa e y o he
app oaches used.
As shown in Figu e 1, among highly skilled emale a hle es, only 1 a hle e (9%)
eso ed o weigh loss once a yea , while 2 a hle es (18%) did so wice a yea . The la ges
p opo ion o a hle es in his g oup (27%) used weigh loss me hods h ee o ou imes
a yea , while 6 a hle es (54%) educed hei weigh mo e han ou imes, indica ing a
signi ican equency o his p ac ice among he highes ca ego y o emale a hle es.
Among quali ied emale a hle es and weigh li e s, a mo e e en dis ibu ion is
obse ed: 5 indi iduals (28%) lose weigh once o wice a yea , 4 a hle es (22%) lose
weigh h ee o ou imes a yea , and ano he 4 (22%) use weigh loss me hods mo e
han ou imes. This dis ibu ion may indica e di e en le els o aining and he need
o adjus weigh acco ding o compe i i e goals.
Coaches who ain emale a hle es o a ious le els, indica ing app oaches o
educing he weigh o hei a hle es (on a e age), demons a e he ollowing ends: 4
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 137 o 145
people (25%) educe weigh once a yea , 2 (13%) - wice a yea , and he la ges g oup o
coaches (31%) uses weigh educ ion h ee o ou imes a yea o mo e han ou imes.
Resul s
Fig. 1. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "How o en do you usually lose
weigh du ing he yea be o e a compe i ion?"
To he ques ion “How many days be o e he compe i ion does body weigh loss
begin?” he answe s o he su eyed a hle es and coaches we e dis ibu ed as ollows (Fig.
2).
Among highly quali ied emale a hle es, he majo i y, namely 7 people (64%), s a
he weigh loss p ocess 1–3 days be o e he compe i ion. This indica es hei expe ience
and abili y o use me hods o apid weigh egula ion be o e pe o mances. Ano he 2
emale a hle es (18%) s a his p ocess 4–7 days, and he same numbe (18%) – 8–9 days.
Only 1 emale a hle e (9%) uses longe e ms, s a ing weigh loss mo e han 9 days. This
app oach o weigh loss is ypical o emale a hle es who egula ly compe e in high-le el
compe i ions, whe e i is necessa y o achie e a clea co espondence o he weigh
ca ego y in a sho ime.
Fig. 2. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "How many days be o e he
compe i ion does weigh loss begin?"
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Once
Twice
Th ee o ou imes
Mo e han ou imes
How o en do you usually lose weigh du ing he
yea be o e a compe i ion?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
1-3 days
4-7 days
8-9 days
Mo e han 9 days
How many days be o e he
compe i ion does weigh loss begin?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 138 o 145
Quali ied a hle es and weigh li e s demons a e a mo e e en dis ibu ion in ime.
The mos popula ime ame o weigh loss is 1–3 days – his op ion was chosen by 7
people (39%). A he same ime, 5 a hle es (28%) s a he p ocess in 4–7 days, and 4
pa icipan s (22%) adjus hei weigh in 8–9 days. Ano he 2 a hle es (11%) use a long-
e m app oach, s a ing weigh loss mo e han 9 days be o e he s a . This dis ibu ion
indica es a mo e lexible app oach o weigh con ol in a hle es o his le el, depending
on hei capabili ies and expe ience.
Coaches who assessed he p epa a ion o hei a hle es p o ided he ollowing
answe s: he la ges numbe o coaches – 10 people (63%) – indica ed ha weigh loss
begins 1–3 days be o e he compe i ion. This coincides wi h he da a o highly quali ied
a hle es, which emphasizes he popula i y o sho - e m me hods. Weigh loss begins in
4–7 days in 2 cases (13%), while 3 coaches (19%) indica ed a pe iod o 8–9 days. Only 1
coach (6%) epo ed using a pe iod o mo e han 9 days o a hle es o lose weigh .
The o e all analysis o he esul s shows ha he mos common ime ame o
weigh loss is 1–3 days be o e he compe i ion. This app oach is ypical o highly skilled
a hle es and ecommended by mos coaches. Howe e , skilled a hle es and weigh li e s,
as well as indi idual coaches, some imes p e e longe pe iods (4–9 days o mo e), which
may indica e indi idual cha ac e is ics o he a hle es' bodies o he peculia i ies o hei
aining.
To he ques ion “How much weigh (in kilog ams) do you usually lose be o e a
compe i ion?” he esponden s' answe s we e dis ibu ed as ollows (Figu e 3).
Among highly skilled emale a hle es, he esul s indica e a di e en app oach o
weigh loss. In pa icula , 1 a hle e (9%) loses 1 kg, ano he 1 pe son (9%) loses 2 kg. Two
a hle es (18%) lose 3 kg each, and he same numbe (18%) lose 4 kg. A he same ime,
wo a hle es (18%) epo ed losing 5 kg, and he la ges numbe , 3 a hle es (27%), lose
mo e han 5 kg be o e compe i ions. This indica es ha highly skilled emale a hle es
o en wo k wi h losing a la ge amoun o weigh , which is cha ac e is ic o hei le el o
aining and high equi emen s o compliance wi h weigh ca ego ies.
Fig. 3. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "How much weigh (in
kilog ams) do you usually lose be o e a compe i ion?"
Among quali ied a hle es and weigh li e s, he e is a endency owa ds mo e
in ensi e weigh loss compa ed o he p e ious g oup. None o he esponden s in his
g oup is limi ed o a loss o 1 kg. Only 1 a hle e (6%) indica ed 2 kg, while 4 a hle es (22%)
lose 3 kg each. Th ee people (17%) egula e hei weigh a 4 kg, and 5 a hle es (28%)
wo k wi h a loss o 5 kg. The la ges sha e – 6 a hle es (33%) – lose mo e han 5 kg. This
01234567
1 kg
2 kg
3 kg
4 kg
5 kg
Mo e han 5 kg
How much weigh (in kilog ams) do
you usually lose be o e a
compe i ion?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 139 o 145
indica es a signi ican load in he aining p ocess, p obably due o he need o achie e
he op imal weigh ca ego y wi h less expe ience and less e ec i e me hods.
The da a p o ided by he coaches show ends in he aining o hei a hle es. Thus,
1 coach (6%) no ed a weigh loss o 1 kg, and ano he 1 (6%) - 2 kg. Th ee coaches (19%)
epo ed a weigh loss o 3 kg, and 4 coaches (25%) no ed an indica o o 4 kg. A simila
numbe o coaches (25%) indica ed a loss o 5 kg. Ano he 4 coaches (25%) no ed ha
hei a hle es lose mo e han 5 kg be o e compe i ions. This dis ibu ion is in line wi h
he gene al end, whe e mo e expe ienced g oups o a hle es and coaches use a
combina ion o quick and e ec i e me hods o achie e he weigh no m.
Weigh loss o 5 kg o mo e is he mos common op ion among all g oups o
esponden s, indica ing he need o signi ican body weigh adjus men o achie e
compe i i e pe o mance. A he same ime, skilled a hle es a e mo e likely o lose a la ge
amoun o weigh , which may indica e insu icien expe ience o less op imized
echniques, while highly skilled a hle es demons a e a mo e balanced app oach.
Coaches' da a con i m his end and e lec hei con ol o e he a hle es' aining,
adap ing s a egies acco ding o indi idual needs and capabili ies.
To he ques ion “Wha me hod o p e-compe i ion weigh egula ion do you
conside he mos e ec i e?” he esponden s’ answe s we e dis ibu ed as ollows (Fig.
4). Among highly quali ied emale a hle es, he e is a p e e ence o as ing as a me hod
ha , in hei opinion, is he mos e ec i e. This op ion was chosen by 5 emale a hle es
(45%). Nex in equency o men ion a e medical de ices, which we e chosen by 3
esponden s (27%), which may indica e an a emp o minimize s ess on he body wi h
he help o medica ions o supplemen s. 1 emale a hle e (9%) named a wa e - ood
egimen, a sauna, and in ensi e aining as e ec i e me hods. Howe e , a weigh loss sui
was no chosen by any emale a hle e in his g oup, which indica es i s low popula i y
among ep esen a i es o his le el o aining.
Fig. 4. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "Wha me hod o p e-
compe i ion body egula ion do you conside he mos e ec i e?"
Among quali ied emale a hle es and weigh li e s, he dominan me hod is also
as ing, which was chosen by 7 people (39%). This indica es i s widesp ead use among
emale a hle es o his le el, despi e he po en ial nega i e impac on physical
pe o mance. A signi ican numbe o esponden s (6 people, 33%) p e e ed medical
means, which indica es an a emp o use mo e e ec i e and con olled me hods. 2
emale a hle es (11%) conside in ensi e aining o be e ec i e, and 1 emale a hle e
(6%) chose a wa e - ood egimen, a ba hhouse, and a weigh loss sui . This indica es a
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Wa e and ood egime
Sauna
In ense wo kou s
Wha me hod o p e-compe i ion
body egula ion do you conside he
mos e ec i e?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 140 o 145
a ie y o app oaches among emale a hle es o his g oup and he sea ch o indi idually
accep able me hods o weigh egula ion.
Coaches who e alua e he e ec i eness o me hods o hei a hle es also mos o en
indica e as ing as he mos e ec i e me hod (7 people, 44%). A he same ime, medical
de ices we e chosen by 4 coaches (25%), which con i ms hei popula i y as a ool o
minimizing he ime o weigh loss. Wa e - ood egimen is conside ed e ec i e by 3
coaches (19%), while 2 coaches (12%) each called in ensi e aining he bes me hod o
p e-compe i ion body weigh egula ion. Only 1 coach (6%) no ed a sauna, and a weigh
loss sui was also no used in his g oup.
The o e all analysis shows ha as ing is he mos popula me hod among all g oups
o esponden s. This app oach, despi e i s p e alence, can ha e a nega i e impac on he
heal h and pe o mance o emale a hle es, especially when used o a long ime. A
signi ican numbe o esponden s, especially among quali ied emale a hle es and
coaches, also choose medical means, which may indica e a desi e o con ol he weigh
loss p ocess mo e e ec i ely. Less popula me hods a e wa e - ood egimen, sauna and
in ensi e aining, while he weigh loss sui is losing ele ance and is used ex emely
a ely.
To he ques ion “How did weigh loss a ec you s eng h abili ies?” he esponden s’
answe s we e dis ibu ed as ollows (da a a e p esen ed in Fig. 5). Among highly quali ied
emale a hle es, he esul s show ha weigh loss mos o en nega i ely a ec s s eng h
abili ies. Thus, 6 emale a hle es (55%) no ed ha hei s eng h indica o s dec eased
a e weigh egula ion p ocedu es. Fou emale a hle es (36%) epo ed ha hei
s eng h abili ies did no change, and only 1 emale a hle e (9%) no ed ha s eng h
indica o s inc eased. This indica es a signi ican impac o weigh loss p ocesses on he
physical condi ion o e en highly quali ied emale a hle es, which may be due o a la ge
olume o aining and insu icien eco e y.
Fig. 5. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "How has losing weigh a ec ed
you s eng h abili ies?"
Among quali ied a hle es and weigh li e s, nega i e e ec s also p e ail. Ten a hle es
(56%) indica ed ha hei s eng h abili ies dec eased a e weigh -loss p ocedu es. Six
a hle es (33%) epo ed ha hei pe o mance did no change, and only 2 a hle es (11%)
epo ed an inc ease in s eng h abili ies. This indica es ha less expe ienced a hle es
a e mo e likely o ace di icul ies in main aining s eng h due o insu icien ly op imized
weigh -loss echniques o lack o expe ience in main aining unc ional cha ac e is ics
du ing weigh -loss p ocedu es. Coaches' assessmen showed ha weigh -loss
p ocedu es ha e a nega i e e ec on he s eng h abili ies o he a hle es hey ain. Ten
coaches (63%) indica ed ha hei a hle es' s eng h abili ies dec eased. Fi e coaches
(31%) indica ed ha hei pe o mance did no change, and only 1 coach (6%) epo ed
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Raised
Ha en' changed
Dec eased
How has losing weigh a ec ed you s eng h
abili ies
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 141 o 145
an inc ease in s eng h abili ies. This indica es ha coaches a e awa e o he nega i e
impac o weigh egula ion on he esul s o emale a hle es, especially in condi ions o
insu icien ly indi idualized app oaches.
The esul s show ha in mos cases (o e 50% in all g oups) weigh loss leads o a
de e io a ion in he s eng h abili ies o emale a hle es, ega dless o hei quali ica ions.
Only a small numbe o esponden s (6–11%) no ed an inc ease in indica o s, which may
be associa ed wi h imp o ed echnical aining o adap a ion o he body o a lowe
weigh . Abou a hi d o esponden s in each g oup epo ed ha hei s eng h abili ies
did no change, which indica es he possibili y o p ese ing physical cha ac e is ics
p o ided ha he weigh loss p ocess is p ope ly o ganized.
To he ques ion “How has losing weigh a ec ed you endu ance?”, he esponden s’
answe s we e dis ibu ed as ollows (da a a e p esen ed in Fig. 6).
Mos esponden s among highly quali ied a hle es (6 people, 55%) no ed ha hei
endu ance did no change a e weigh egula ion p ocedu es. This may indica e a high
le el o adap a ion o he body o loads and he use o less agg essi e me hods o weigh
loss. Th ee a hle es (27%) epo ed an inc ease in endu ance, which may be associa ed
wi h a dec ease in body weigh and a dec ease in ene gy expendi u e du ing exe cise.
Only 2 a hle es (18%) indica ed a dec ease in endu ance.
Among quali ied a hle es and weigh li e s, he majo i y o esponden s (9 people,
50%) also no ed ha hei endu ance had no changed. This indica es ha a signi ican
p opo ion o a hle es main ained s able physical cha ac e is ics. Six a hle es (33%)
indica ed an inc ease in endu ance, which may be due o p ope ly o ganized weigh
egula ion me hods. Howe e , h ee a hle es (17%) no ed ha endu ance had dec eased,
which indica es he need o an indi idualized app oach o he weigh loss p ocess in his
ca ego y.
Fig. 6. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "How has losing weigh
a ec ed you endu ance?"
Coaches, assessing he endu ance o hei a hle es, also no ed ha in mos cases
endu ance ei he did no change (8 people, 50%) o inc eased (6 people, 38%). This
indica es posi i e esul s o weigh co ec ion unde condi ions o p ope con ol o e
he weigh loss p ocess. Only 2 coaches (12%) no ed a dec ease in endu ance, which
indica es he a i y o nega i e consequences among he a hle es hey ca e o .
The esul s show ha weigh loss in mos cases does no ha e a signi ican nega i e
impac on he endu ance o emale a hle es. In he majo i y o esponden s in each
g oup, endu ance ei he did no change (50–55%) o e en inc eased (27–38%). This may
0 2 4 6 8 10
Raised
Ha en' changed
Dec eased
How has losing weigh a ec ed you
endu ance?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 142 o 145
indica e he bene i s o a compe en app oach o weigh egula ion ha akes in o
accoun he physiological needs o emale a hle es.
To he ques ion “Wha changes in you men al s a e ha e you no iced a e losing
weigh ?”, he esponden s’ answe s we e dis ibu ed as ollows (see Fig. 7).
Among he highly skilled emale a hle es, wo a hle es (18%) epo ed no no icing
any changes in hei men al s a e a e losing weigh . Howe e , he majo i y (82%)
epo ed a ious nega i e symp oms. Fou a hle es (36%) epo ed inc eased
ne ousness, which was he mos common symp om in his g oup. Two a hle es (18%)
each epo ed dec eased a en ion and i i abili y, and one a hle e (9%) epo ed apa hy.
Fig. 7. Dis ibu ion o esponden s' answe s o he ques ion "Wha changes in you
men al s a e ha e you no iced a e losing weigh ?"
These da a sugges ha he p ocess o weigh loss has a signi ican impac on he
emo ional s a e e en in expe ienced emale a hle es, who a e likely o expe ience s ess
due o high compe i i e demands.
Among he skilled a hle es and weigh li e s, only wo a hle es (11%) epo ed ha
hei men al s a e had no changed. The o he s epo ed a ious nega i e changes. The
mos common symp oms in his g oup we e i i abili y and inc eased ne ousness,
epo ed by i e esponden s (28%) each. Fou a hle es (22%) epo ed dec eased
a en ion, and wo (11%) epo ed apa hy. These esul s sugges ha less expe ienced
a hle es may be mo e suscep ible o he nega i e e ec s o weigh loss on hei emo ional
s a e due o lack o expe ience and less sophis ica ed egula ion echniques.
Coaches, assessing he men al s a e o hei a hle es, also indica ed he p e alence o
nega i e symp oms. Only wo coaches (12%) no ed ha he e we e no changes in he
men al s a e. Mos o en, coaches no iced i i abili y (5 people, 31%) and inc eased
ne ousness (4 people, 25%), which coincides wi h he da a o he a hle es hemsel es.
Fou coaches (25%) also no ed a dec ease in a en ion, and wo (12%) - apa hy.
The esul s demons a e ha in mos cases, weigh loss causes nega i e changes in
he men al s a e o emale a hle es, including inc eased ne ousness and i i abili y. Only
a small p opo ion o esponden s in all g oups (11–18%) epo ed no changes.
A signi ican numbe o nega i e mani es a ions may be associa ed wi h s ess caused
by physical es ic ions du ing weigh loss p ocedu es, as well as wi h psychological
p essu e associa ed wi h p epa a ion o compe i ions.
Discussion and Conclusion
The su ey esul s indica e a high p e alence o p e-compe i ion weigh loss among
emale powe li e s, wi h mos a hle es losing 3–7 kg in he sho pe iod be o e he
compe i ion. The mos common me hods a e luid es ic ion, calo ie educ ion, and
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
No changes
Dec eased a en ion
Inc eased ne ousness
Wha changes in you men al s a e
ha e you no iced a e losing
weigh ?
Coaches Quali ied a hle es Highly skilled a hle es
Ka abulak, 2025.
In e na ional Jou nal o Heal h, Exe cise, and Spo Sciences Vol 2, issue 2, June
2025 Page 143 o 145
igo ous exe cise. These indings a e consis en wi h p e ious s udies ha ha e shown
ha a hle es in weigh classes o en use agg essi e weigh loss s a egies, including
dehyd a ion and die a y es ic ion (Mendes e al., 2013).
Analysis o he coaches’ esponses con i ms ha p e-compe i ion weigh loss is
conside ed an in eg al elemen o compe i i e aining, al hough mos expe s
emphasize he impo ance o an indi idual app oach and he need o moni o he heal h
o he a hle es. A he same ime, a signi ican pa o he a hle es epo ed nega i e
consequences o apid weigh loss, including dec eased s eng h, sleep dis u bances, loss
o ene gy, and emo ional ins abili y. These mani es a ions a e likely associa ed wi h
ac i a ion o he sympa he ic ne ous sys em and dec eased pa asympa he ic egula ion,
as demons a ed in o he s udies using hea a e a iabili y indica o s (Acha ya e al.,
2006; Mosley & Labo de, 2024; Pham e al., 2021; S ein & Kleige , 1999).
O pa icula no e is he gende -speci ic na u e o he body's eac ions o apid weigh
loss. As he au ho s o he s udy no e, an addi ional s ess ac o in women may be
ho monal luc ua ions associa ed wi h he mens ual cycle, which a ec ca dio ascula
egula ion (Ca e & Golds ein, 2015). This ac o is likely o exace ba e he nega i e
consequences o weigh loss in emale powe li e s compa ed o men, which was also
e lec ed in he commen s o some coaches abou he inc eased isk o o e aining.
The conduc ed s udy allowed o e eal he cha ac e is ic ea u es o p e-compe i ion
body weigh egula ion in emale powe li e s depending on he le el o spo s
quali ica ion and expe ience o coaches. The esul s o he su ey showed ha highly
quali ied emale a hle es eso o weigh loss much mo e o en - mo e han ou imes a
yea , using mainly sho - e m weigh egula ion me hods wi hin 1-3 days be o e he
s a . A he same ime, lowe -le el emale a hle es and hei coaches obse e g ea e
a iabili y in app oaches and iming o weigh loss.
A signi ican p opo ion o esponden s, ega dless o quali ica ion, educe body
weigh by 5 kg o mo e. A he same ime, highly quali ied a hle es demons a e a mo e
balanced app oach, while quali ied a hle es mo e o en educe weigh sha ply, which
may be a sign o insu icien adap a ion o subop imal echnique).
Kısal mala / Abb e ia ions
None.
Beyanla / Decla a ions
E ik Onay e Ka ılım Onayı / E hics app o al and consen o pa icipa e
Bu çalışmanın hazı lanma e yazım sü ecinde ‘‘Yükseköğ e im Ku umla ı Bilimsel A aş ı ma e Yayın E iği Yöne gesi’’
kapsamında bilimsel, e ik e alın ı ku alla ına uyulmuş olup; oplanan e ile üze inde he hangi bi ah i a yapılmamış
e bu çalışma he hangi başka bi akademik yayın o amına değe lendi me için gönde ilmemiş i . Makale ile ilgili
doğabilecek he ü lü ihlalle de so umluluk yaza a ai i .
Du ing he p epa a ion and w i ing o his s udy, he p inciples o scien i ic in eg i y, e hics, and ci a ion, as s ipula ed
in he ‘‘Highe Educa ion Ins i u ions Scien i ic Resea ch and Publica ion E hics Di ec i e,’’ we e ully obse ed; no
alsi ica ion was made on he collec ed da a, and his s udy has no been submi ed o any o he academic
publica ion pla o m o e alua ion. The au ho bea s ull esponsibili y o any po en ial iola ions ega ding he
a icle.
Ve i Ve Ma e yal E işilebili liği / A ailabili y o da a and ma e ial
Bu çalışmanın bulgula ını des ekleyen e ile , makul aleple üze ine so umlu yaza dan emin edilebili . Ve i se i
yalnızca akademik amaçla için e işilebili olacak e e ile in he hangi bi kullanımı, o ijinal çalışmayı e e ans
gös e ecek e ka ılımcıla ın gizliliğini ko uyacak ı .
The da a ha suppo he indings o his s udy a e a ailable om he co esponding au ho upon easonable eques .
The da ase will be accessible only o academic pu poses, and any use o he da a will ecognize he o iginal s udy
and main ain he con den iali y o he pa icipan s.
Çıka Ça ışması / Compe ing in e es s
