Weight Management Practices and Their Health Implications Among Elite Wrestlers

Abstract

Due to the weight-class structure of the sport, weight management is an essential part of competitive wrestling. In order to compete in lower weight classes, elite wrestlers may resort to extreme weight loss techniques such as sauna use, dehydration, intense activity, and caloric restriction. These practices may help athletes gain an edge in the short term, but they are very harmful to their mental and physical well-being in the long run. typical approaches to weight loss used by professional wrestlers and assesses the risks to their health. This analysis draws on previous research as well as athlete reports to show how fast weight cycling affects hydration, metabolism, hormone balance, immune response, and injury risk. Also covered are the mental health effects, including elevated stress levels, changes in mood, eating disorders, and diminished brain function. Improper methods of weight loss have the potential to harm health in the long run and impair sports performance in the short term. In order to ensure the well-being of athletes without jeopardizing their competitive integrity, sports governing bodies should implement weight management procedures supported by science, provide nutritional education, and engage in regulatory actions.