Effect of Weight Cutting on Olympic Weightlifting Performanc

Weight cutting by dehydration, a common practice among athletes in sports that utilize weight classes, has uncertain effects on strength and power. This study examined the effects of one week of dehydration of 2-4% body mass on the snatch weightlifting movement. Eight trained males (age = 26.4 +/- 4.8, experience = 3.5 +/- 1.4 years, body fat percentage = 28.1 +/- 3.6, and body mass = 91.7 +/- 10.9kg) and six trained females (age = 27.2 +/- 3.1, experience = 2.4 +/- 0.8 years, body fat percentage = 25.7 +/- 5.59, and body mass = 68.0 +/- 5.8kg) took part in this study. They completed two testing sessions, visit one acting as the control (Visit 1: pre dehydration) and visit two acting as the experimental condition (Visit 2: post dehydration). Following a week of dehydration, subjects rapidly rehydrated two hours before lifting. There were no significant difference between control and experimental states for completing lifts at 95, 100, and 105% of the athletes training maximum. Using the standardized rating scale, the technical proficiency for male subjects was 1.1 +/- 1.6 at visit 1 and 0.9 +/- 1.5 at visit 2 (p=0.5). Among female subjects, ratings were 1.5 +/- 1.5 and 1.4 +/- 1.4 at visits 1 and 2 (p>0.99), respectively. Bar speed did not change following dehydration and rapid rehydration (0.79 +/- 0.09m/s visit 1, 0.76 +/- 0.09 m/s visit 2) but the maximum height of the bar before the catch decreased between visits (0.89 +/- 0.07 m visit 1, 0.88 +/- 0.08 m visit 2) (p = 0.02). In conclusion, dehydration of 2--4% body weight achieved through a week a fluid restriction followed by partial rehydration decreased maximum bar height before the catch during near maximal attempts at the Snatch.