Making weight makes sense: relative performance gains after rapid weight loss in powerlifting: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common strategy among competitive powerlifters aiming to qualify for lower weight categories and improve competitive advantage. However, the effects of RWL followed by short-term recovery on maximal strength performance remain unclear. This study aimed to examine whether a ~ 5% RWL protocol followed by a 2-hour recovery period affects changes in maximal and relative strength performance in trained male powerlifters. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000924752). In this RCT study, 26 male powerlifters (24.6 ± 4.5 y; 92.8 ± 13.6 kg) were assigned to a rapid weight loss (RWL; n = 13) or control group (CON; n = 13). RWL participants followed a 4-day protocol including caloric rest

SUBMITTER: Matras A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12392435 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature