Assessments of world and national level wrestling teams at a pre world championship competition: hydration, body composition and body mass alterations.

AIM: This study examined the changes in hydration status, body composition and body mass alterations during the camping period a pre world championship, World (N.=14) and National (N.=38) senior wrestlers (N.=52) preparing for the World Championships. METHODS: Urine specific gravity, conductivity and color measurements with, body composition analyses were conducted at the beginning of the camp and the end of the camp. RESULTS: In general, no significant differences were obtained between the world and national wrestlers in body mass and fat percentage (83.3±20-84.9±18 kg; 12±6%-11.2±4%, respectively). However, a significant difference was detected in the changes of body mass between groups (world decreased [800±1 g] - national increased [600±1 g] [P<0.05]). Body fat percentage was also observed to have a similar bias with a decrease and increase, but the changes were not significantly different (P>0.05). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between pre- and post-test values of urine specific gravity, conductivity or color for both national team wrestlers. CONCLUSION: Wrestlers achieved to adjust to weight category in a close of period through competition weigh in. Dehydration training programs should be sustained during the whole camp seasons including the last days before the weighing process for matches.