Context
The combination of extensive weight loss and inadequate nutritional strategies used to lose weight rapidly for competition in weight-category sports may negatively affect athletic performance and health.
Objective
To explore the reasoning of elite combat-sport athletes about rapid weight loss and regaining of weight before competitions.
Design
Qualitative study.
Setting
With grounded theory as a theoretical framework, we employed a cross-examinational approach including interviews, observations, and Internet sources. Sports observations were obtained at competitions and statements by combat-sport athletes were collected on the Internet.
Patients or Other Participants
Participants in the interviews were 14 Swedish national team athletes (9 men, 5 women; age range, 18 to 36 years) in 3 Olympic combat sports (wrestling, judo, and taekwondo).
Data Collection and Analysis
Semistructured interviews with 14 athletes from the Swedish national teams in wrestling, judo, and taekwondo were conducted at a location of each participant's choice. The field observations were conducted at European competitions in these 3 sports. In addition, interviews and statements made by athletes in combat sports were collected on the Internet.
Results
Positive aspects of weight regulation other than gaining physical advantage emerged from the data during the analysis: sport identity, mental diversion, and mental advantage. Together and individually, these categories point toward the positive aspects of weight regulation experienced by the athletes. Practicing weight regulation mediates a self-image of being “a real athlete.” Weight regulation is also considered mentally important as a part of the precompetition preparation, serving as a coping strategy by creating a feeling of increased focus and commitment. Moreover, a mental advantage relative to one's opponents can be gained through the practice of weight regulation.
Conclusions
Weight regulation has mentally important functions extending beyond the common notion that combat-sport athletes reduce their weight merely to gain a physical edge over their opponents.
The uptake and utilization of faty acids and glucose in dog kidneys subjected to continuous hypothermic perfusion were studied. 25 dog kidneys were perfused in a Gambro machine for 6 days. The concentrations of free fatty acids and glucose in the perfusate as well as the incorporation of labeled fatty acids and glucose into various metabolites in the kidney tissue and in the perfusate were determined. Linoleic, palmitic, and myristic acids were preferably incorporated into tissue glycerides, while caprylic acid was mainly incorporated into CO2, glucose, and lactate. Labeled glucose was incorporated mainly into lactate, but a low activity was also recovered in CO2 and in tissue glycogen. A continuous lactate production and an increase in the ratio between lactate and pyruvate were registered during the perfusion. The concentration of phospholipids and triglycerides remained unchanged during 6 days’ perfusion, while the concentration of cholesterol decreased significantly Te results indicate that dog kidneys subjected to continuous hypothermic perfusion preferably use short-chained fatty acids for oxidation and long-chained fatty acids for incorporation into tissue glycerides. The glycolysis seems to be partially blocked at different levels, resulting in a low oxidation rate and a high lactate production. The results also seem to indicate that metabolic studies of perfused kidneys may make it possible to improve the composition of the perfusate with the aim to keep kidneys in a good condition for clinical transplantation.
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