Effect of Dehydration on Sleep Quality, Cognitive Skills, and Electromyographic Responses in Combat Athletes

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Rapid weight loss through dehydration: Dehydration will be induced by exposing athletes to sauna heat with an average temperature of 70-80°C. The participants will undergo consecutive 15 minute sessions in sauna with 5 minute breaks until 3% weight loss is achieved. No liquids or food will be consumed between sessions.

Study summary

This study examines the effects of rapid dehydration-induced weight loss on combat athletes' sleep quality, cognitive skills, and isokinetic strength performance. The research documents both benefits and risks of weight-cutting practices for athletes, coaches, and medical staff in weight-class sports. Findings will guide safer weight management approaches and inform potential revisions to international weigh-in protocols, while contributing valuable insights to sports science.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Sleep monitoring and Evaluation — First trial monitoring, following one week Second trial monitoring and following one week Third trial monitoring (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, monitoring will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  Participants' sleep assessments will be conducted with a sleep monitor, which uses impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR-UWB) radar and Doppler technology, and has been shown to provide measurements as accurate and reliable as the polysomnography device, which is considered the gold standard in sleep assessment. Total sleep and wake times and durations of the sleep phases will be obtained in minutes from the recordings of the device.
• Isokinetic Leg Strength Measurement — First trial testing, following one week Second trial testing and following one week Third trial testing (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, testing will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  Isokinetic leg strength measurements will be made with the Cybex Norm device. Peak torque data obtained during the measurements will be recorded and used in data processing.
• EMG Measurements — First trial testing, following one week Second trial testing and following one week Third trial testing (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, testing will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  Electrical potentials of muscle cells are recorded with electromyography (EMG) and the activities of skeletal muscles are evaluated based on changes in these potentials. EMG measurement provides information about the muscles and motor nerves involved by analyzing motor unit action potentials.
• Stroop test — First trial testing, following one week Second trial testing and following one week Third trial testing (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, testing will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  The Stroop test is a test that reflects frontal lobe region activity.
• Symbol Digit Modalities Test — First trial testing, following one week Second trial testing and following one week Third trial testing (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, testing will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  The Symbol Digit Modalities Test is a test that evaluates complex visual spatial scanning, sustained attention and concentration, information processing speed and working memory.
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment — First trial testing, following one week Second trial testing and following one week Third trial testing (Due to randomized counterbalanced crossover design, testing will be performed three times, two as experimental and one as control).
  The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test evaluates cognitive functions such as attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visual construction skills, calculation and orientation. The test scores range from 0 to 30, with a cut-off score of 21. Scores of 21 and above are considered normal.

Trial sites (1)

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