The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of rapid weight loss on some physiological parameters (strength, aerobic-anaerobic power, speed, reaction time, resting heart rate and blood pressure) of Turkish national male wrestlers.

A total of 11 national male wrestlers with mean age of 19.64±0.45 years, height 173.55±2.07 cm, body weight 76.54±2.39 kg were voluntarily participated into this study. Physiological parameters of subjects were measured by using standardized tests as follows; first tests before weight loss (BWL), second tests after weight loss (AWL), third tests after recovery period (RT). Statistical analysis were done using paired Student’s t test.

As results of this study; rapid weight loss caused significant decrements of national Turkish wrestlers in anaerobic-aerobic power and srength (p<0.01). In addition it caused significant increase in reaction times (p<0.01 and p<0.05), speed and resting heart rate (p<0.01). There was no significant changes in resting blood pressures of subjects.