









































ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

91

Original scientific article                                      DOI: https://doi.org/10.35469/ak.2021.324
received: 2022-04-01                                           UDC: 796.82:613.24

THE EFFECT OF RAPID WEIGHT LOSS ON THE HANDGRIP 
STRENGTH OF NATIONAL-LEVEL WRESTLERS

Carlo ROSSI1, Roberto ROKLICER2, Antonino BIANCO1, Marko MANOJLOVIC2, 
Barbara GILIC3,4, Tatjana TRIVIC2 and Patrik DRID2

1 Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
2 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

3 University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
4 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia

Corresponding author: 
Patrik DRID 

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Lovćenska 16, 21000 Novi 
Sad, Serbia

Phone: +381641118884
E-mail: patrikdrid@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) in combat sports athletes is an area that is 
not yet fully discovered. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the impact of 
weight loss on HGS (handgrip strength) in Greco-Roman wrestlers.

This cross-over study included ten athletes examined for HGS during three time 
points for each hand. The first measurement – baseline (BL), was performed before we-
ight reduction. The second measurement ‒ phase 1 (P1), was taken after high-intensity 
sports specific training (HISST) combined with RWL. In this phase, participants had 
to lose 5% of their body mass within three days, after which HISST was carried out 
(on day 3). The third measurement ‒ phase 2 (P2), was performed seven days after P1, 
which included HISST with no RWL.

When comparing the HGS values, significantly higher values were observed only 
when P1 was compared with P2 for the left hand (p=0.039). This means that the grip 
was significantly stronger after RWL was conducted together with HISST.

This research could be of great importance to combat sports coaches and athletes 
as it evaluates the effect of RWL on performance parameters. Therefore, the results of 
our study could serve to improve the wrestlers’ weight-reduction plan.

Keywords: Greco-Roman, performance, weight reduction, wrestling



92

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

UČINKI NAGLEGA ZMANJŠEVANJA TELESNE MASE NA MOČ 
OPRIJEMA PRI REPREZENTANČNIH ROKOBORCIH

IZVLEČEK

Učinki naglega zmanjševanja telesne mase pri športnikih v borilnih disciplinah so 
področje, ki še ni povsem raziskano. Zato je bil cilj te študije ugotoviti, kako nagla 
izguba telesne mase vpliva na moč oprijema pri rokoborcih v grško-rimskem slogu.

V pričujočo navzkrižno študijo smo vključili deset športnikov, pri katerih smo pre-
verjali moč oprijema za vsako roko v treh različnih časovnih obdobjih. Prvo meritev 
‒ ki je predstavljala izhodišče ‒ smo opravili pred začetkom zmanjševanja telesne 
mase. Drugo meritev ‒ 1. faza ‒ smo opravili po visokointenzivni športnospecifični 
vadbi v kombinaciji z naglo izgubo telesne mase. V tej fazi so sodelujoči morali v treh 
dneh za 5 odstotkov zmanjšati svojo telesno maso, nato pa opraviti visokointenzivno 
športnospecifično vadbo (tretji dan). Tretja meritev ‒ 2. faza ‒ je bila izvedena se-
dem dni po 1. fazi in je vključevala visokointenzivno športnospecifično vadbo brez 
zmanjševanja telesne mase.

Pri primerjavi podatkov o moči oprijema smo občutno višje vrednosti zaznali med 
rezultati meritev v 1. in 2. fazi za levo roko, saj so slednji pokazali, da se je moč opri-
jema občutno povečala po zmanjšanju telesne mase v kombinaciji z visokointenzivno 
športnospecifično vadbo.

Študija, ki meri učinke naglega zmanjšanja telesne mase na parametre zmogljivosti, 
prinaša pomembne uvide za trenerje in športnike v borilnih disciplinah in bi lahko 
pripomogla k izboljšanju programov za zmanjševanje telesne mase pri rokoborcih. 

Ključne besede: grško-rimski slog, zmogljivost, zmanjševanje telesne mase, 
rokoborba



ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

93

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

INTRODUCTION

To be successful in wrestling, an athlete must possess high levels of physical and 
psychological readiness. Indeed, wrestling is a very demanding and vigorous sport that 
consists of two 3-minute rounds, with a break of 30 seconds in between (Yoon, 2002). 
Thus, both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems are taxed during a wrestling match 
(Nikooie, Cheraghi, & Mohamadipour, 2017). Specifically, the anaerobic system pro-
vides explosive and short bursts of maximal power and strength, while the aerobic sy-
stem is responsible for sustained effort during the match (Demirkan, Koz, Kutlu, & Fa-
vre, 2015). Furthermore, wrestling requires highly developed upper-body strength and 
power, particularly handgrip strength (Gerodimos et al., 2013; Demirkan et al., 2015). 

Handgrip strength (HGS) in hand-to-hand combat sports, including wrestling, is es-
sential for movements such as pulling, pushing, throwing and controlling the opponent, 
which are important determinants of the match outcome (Cronin, Lawton, Harris, Kild-
ing, & McMaster, 2017). Moreover, possessing high HGS and endurance is very im-
portant in the later rounds of the match and can influence the continuation or end of the 
dominance of the opponent (Franchini, Schwartz, & Takito, 2018). Also, HGS is essen-
tial in several wrestling holds because various take-down and defensive maneuvers are 
based on a strong grip (Gerodimos et al., 2013). Indeed, a very strong relationship was 
recorded between HGS and success in wrestling (i.e., competition ranking) (García-
Pallarés, López-Gullón, Muriel, Díaz, & Izquierdo, 2011; Nikooie et al., 2017). Also, 
elite male wrestlers had stronger handgrip compared to sub-elite wrestlers (Nikooie et 
al., 2017). It is important to note that both absolute and relative strength was higher 
in elite than in sub-elite wrestlers, which supports the hypothesis that handgrip can be 
observed as a determinant of overall strength in athletes (García-Pallarés et al., 2011).

In combat sports, athletes are categorized into weight classes according to their 
body mass in order to reduce the difference in strength and size of the competitors. The 
aim of dividing athletes into weight classes is to create equal competition conditions 
for each athlete (Castor-Praga, Lopez-Walle, & Sanchez-Lopez, 2021). However, in 
order to drop the weight into a class where an athlete would have an advantage over the 
lighter and weaker opponent, rapid weight loss is commonly practiced among combat 
sports athletes (Khodaee, Olewinski, Shadgan, & Kiningham, 2015; Ranisavljev et al., 
2022; Todorović et al., 2021). Rapid weight loss (RWL) stands for a method characteri-
zed by losing at least 5% of body weight in fewer than seven days prior to competition 
(Khodaee et al., 2015). However, such large alterations in body weight, although wi-
thout conclusive scientific evidence, most likely impact athletes’ performance. Namely, 
RWL leads to detriments on anaerobic performance, which is related to reduced glyco-
gen depletion and buffering capacity (Lakicevic et al., 2020). Reduced muscle glyco-
gen can impair excitation-contraction coupling in the muscle and accelerate the onset 
of muscle fatigue, which can reduce exercise performance (Ørtenblad, Westerblad, & 
Nielsen, 2013). Recent studies revealed that RWL leads to significant muscle damage 
in combat sports athletes and impairs heart rate recovery in national-level wrestlers 
(Roklicer et al., 2020; Roklicer et al., 2022). 



94

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has examined the influence of RWL 
combined with HISST on HGS in wrestlers. Thus, the aim of this study was to determi-
ne the impact of RWL on HGS in wrestlers. 

METHODS

Participants

This cross-over study was carried out on a total of 10 male national level Greco-
Roman wrestlers (22.44 ± 4.53 years; mean body weight: 73.36 ± 4.42 kg; mean body 
height: 174.43 ± 3.78 cm). To be included in the experiment, wrestlers had to have at 
least five years of competitive experience. Additionally, participants were eligible only 
if they had used RWL methods within the previous two years. Participants were free of 
injury at the time of the testing. The procedures were fully explained to the participants 
before conducting the study. Each respondent participated voluntarily by signing the 
informed consent. Body composition parameters were measured using a body compo-
sition analyzer (Omron BF511, Omron Healthcare Ltd., Matsusaka, Japan).

All procedures were carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The 
study was approved by the ethical board of the University of Novi Sad, Serbia (Ref. 
No. 46-06-02/2020-1). 

Experimental Approach to the Problem

Handgrip strength was measured at three time points. The first measurement – (BL) 
was conducted before the weight reduction. The second measurement – Phase 1 (P1), 
was done after the high-intensity sport-specific training (HISST) combined with RWL. 
For this phase, participants had to lose 5% of their body mass within three days, after 
which the HISST was carried out (on day 3). The third measurement – Phase 2 (P2), 
was carried out seven days following P1 and included HISST (after which the measu-
rements were done) with no RWL.

Isometric Handgrip Strength

The maximum grip strength was measured for both hands with a Takei portable 
dynamometer (Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Tokyo, Japan). Participants stood with 
the abducted shoulder. The dynamometer was previously adapted to the size of the 
participant’s hands and held with the arms parallel to the body without squeezing/at-
taching the arm against the body. The position of the hand remained constantly down-
wards, and the palm did not bend at the wrist joint. Subjects were asked to do a maxi-



ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

95

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

mum voluntary contraction on the dynamometer for 5 seconds. All subjects performed 
three trials for each hand, and the best performance was used for further analysis.

Statistical Analysis

The results are presented as mean and standard deviation. The normality of the dis-
tribution was determined by the Shapiro-Wilks test. To compare the means between the 
handgrip strength measurements, One Way ANOVA for repeated measures with LSD 
post hoc analysis was conducted. All statistical procedures were done using IBM SPSS 
Statistics for Windows, 20.0 (IBM Corp 20, Armonk, NY, USA). The significance level 
was set at p≤0.05.

RESULTS

The wrestlers’ characteristics are presented in Table 1. According to the results obta-
ined, statistically significant differences were observed across the three time points. The 
values obtained in P1 were significantly lower for body weight, BMI, FM, and VBF, 
while muscle mass increased significantly compared to the baseline measurement. The 
results in P2 were significantly higher for body weight, BMI, FM, and VBF, while mu-
scle mass was significantly lower in this phase compared to P1. Basal metabolic rate 
was not significantly different across the three time points.

 

Table 1. Descriptive characteristics of body composition of wrestlers (n=10)

BL P1 P2

Body weight (kg) 73.36±4.42 69.27±4.12* 72.38±4.17#

BMI (kg/m2) 24.11±0.96 22.62±0.98* 23.64±1.07#

FM (%) 16.37±2.22 12.74±3.15* 14.98±2.47#

MM (%) 42.51±1.41 44.64±2.14* 43.36±1.71#

VBF (%) 6.11±1.05 4.88±1.16* 5.66±1.32#

Basal metabolic rate 
(kcal) 1717.33±64.98 1677.11±61.49 1704.11±56.43

Values are presented as mean and standard deviation (M±SD); BL – baseline values; P1 – phase 
one: HISST combined with RWL; P2 – phase two: HISST with no RWL procedures included; BMI 
– Body mass index (kg/m2); FM – Fat mass (%); MM –muscle mass (%); VBF – Visceral body 
fat (%);* statistically significant difference compared to baseline values, p≤0.001; # statistically 
significant difference compared to P1, p≤0.01.



96

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

The handgrip strength values for both hands are presented in Table 2. Although the 
higher values for the right hand are visible in P1 and P2 in comparison to the baseline, 
the difference remained statistically insignificant. As for the left hand, similar values 
were obtained during BL and P2. However, according to LSD pairwise comparisons, 
significantly higher handgrip strength was observed in P1 only when compared to P2, 
p=0.039 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Handgrip strength differences in Greco-Roman wrestlers.
Legend: * - significantly different compared to P2 (left handgrip) p<0.05; BL – baseline meas-
urement; P1 – phase one: HISST combined with RWL; P2 – phase two: HISST with no RWL 
procedures included; HG – right and left handgrip strength; kg – kilograms.



ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

97

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

Table 2. Handgrip strength of wrestlers.

BL P1  P2 F p
Partial 

Eta 
squared

HG right 
(kg)

55.55 
±5.81

56.66 
±7.28

56.44 
±8.35 0.104 0.857 0.013

HG left 
(kg)

54.55 
±6.06

57.55 
±4.44* 54 ±4 1.845 0.199 0.187

Values are presented as mean and standard deviation (M±SD); BL – baseline values; P1 – phase 
one: HISST combined with RWL; P2 – phase two: HISST with no RWL procedures included; 
F – F ratio; HG right – right-hand handgrip strength; HG left – left-hand handgrip strength; 
*statistically significantly different compared to P2 according to post hoc pairwise comparisons, 
p≤0.05.

DISCUSSION

To the author‘s knowledge, this is the first cross-over design study that analyzes the 
impact of combining RWL with HISST and HISST alone on HGS performance in nati-
onal-level Greco-Roman wrestlers. The obtained results demonstrated changes in HGS 
values in the phase when body weight reduction was implemented. Maximum grip 
strength production significantly increased only for the left hand of the athletes. There 
are not many previous studies examining the influence of RWL on HGS in wrestlers. 
Research conducted on elite wrestlers showed a decrease in HGS performance after 
applying RWL (Jlid, Maffulli, Elloumi, Moalla, & Paillard, 2013). On the other hand, 
weight loss failed to alter the HGS values in college wrestlers (Serfass, Stull, Alexan-
der, & Ewing Jr., 1984; Marttinen, Judelson, Wiersma, & Coburn, 2011). In contrast 
to the results of these studies, this research reported a positive effect of RWL on HGS 
values. Isometric strength production was higher for the left hand during the combi-
ned phase of RWL with HISST compared to values observed in P2. The average HGS 
performance of the right hand was also increased, albeit without statistical significan-
ce. Several possible mechanisms may explain these findings. Athletes have probably 
experienced psychological arousal due to reaching the target weight for the category in 
which they intend to compete, which potentially leads to improved strength performan-
ce. Additionally, changes in body composition may be related to the results shown. The 
increase in muscle mass, as well as the decrease in FM and VBF during the application 
of RWL, are probably responsible for the positive alterations in HGS values. Due to the 
already mentioned importance of HGS in separating more successful wrestlers from 
less successful ones, coaches and athletes could probably implement RWL before the 
competition. Of course, the weight loss process must be conducted with some caution 
due to the negative impact on other health aspects of athletes. Future studies on larger 



98

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

samples are needed to clearly understand the results obtained in this study. In combat 
sports, the link between weight loss and HGS has been most investigated in judo. As in 
wrestling, the previous findings are inconsistent. Some studies have reported that RWL 
reduces HGS values in judo athletes (Degoutte et al., 2006; Clarys, Ramon, Hagman, 
Deriemaeker, & Zinzen, 2010; Isacco et al., 2020). However, the weight loss did not 
change the HGS performance of the left hand in national level judokas (Filaire et al., 
2001). Additionally, weight reduction did not affect the maximal isometric strength 
in Czech judokas, although marginally higher average HGS values were observed for 
both the left and right hand after the RWL period (Coufalová, Cochrane, Maly, & Hel-
ler, 2014). The results are also in conflict in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Camarço et 
al. (2016) failed to find alterations in HGS values after RWL was applied. Contrary, 
RWL significantly decreased HGS performance in amateur MMA fighters (Alves et 
al., 2018). All studies demonstrated a negative or no effect of RWL on HGS values in 
combat athletes. Only the results of our research showed a positive impact of RWL on 
HGS performance. The cross-over design of the presented study may be a factor that 
contributed to the final outcome. Some of the future research could focus on the influ-
ence of RWL on HGS in combat sports like sambo, taekwondo, or boxing. Finally, this 
study has several relevant limitations that should be mentioned. First, the study was 
conducted on a relatively small sample . Second, the respondents were national-level 
wrestlers. Participants’ hand dominance was not reported prior to testing. Future studies 
should monitor glycogen and various inflammation and muscle damage levels along 
with subjective levels of physical and/or mental arousal. Additionally, future studies 
should investigate the impact of RWL on HGS values in elite wrestlers. Finally, athletes 
were free to choose weight loss methods. Hence, wrestlers most likely used different 
techniques of RWL. 

CONCLUSION

The aim of this study was to determine HGS in national-level wrestlers. Particular-
ly, the impact of RWL on the handgrip strength was measured during baseline and two 
different phases ‒ P1 and P2. Comparing the HGS values, a significant difference was 
observed only when P1 was compared to P2 for the left hand. Specifically, the handgrip 
was stronger after RWL was included along with HISST. This phenomenon may be 
interpreted as psychological arousal of athletes who have attained the target weight for 
a certain category they tend to compete in. This research could be of great importance 
for combat sports coaches and athletes as it evaluates the effect of RWL on performance 
parameters. Although further studies on this matter would be of great importance, the 
findings of our study might serve to improve the wrestlers’ weight reduction plan.



ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

99

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

Conflict of Interest

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, 
authorship, and/or publication of this article.

REFERENCES

Alves, R. C., Alves Bueno, J. C., Borges, T. O., Zourdos, M. C., de Souza Junior, T. P., 
& Aoki, M. S. (2018). Physiological function is not fully regained within 24 hours of 
rapid weight loss in mixed martial artists. Journal  of exercise physiology online, 21(5). 
Retrieved from https://www.asep.org/asep/asep/JEPonlineOCTOBER2018_Alves.pdf.

Camarço, N. F., Neto, I. V. S., Nascimento, D. C., Almeida, J. A., Vieira, D. C., Rosa, T. 
S., ... & Prestes, J. (2016). Salivary nitrite content, cognition and power in Mixed Mar-
tial Arts fighters after rapid weight loss: a case study. Journal of clinical and translational 
research, 2(2), 63. https://doi.org/10.18053/jctres.02.201602.004.

Castor-Praga, C., Lopez-Walle, J. M., & Sanchez-Lopez, J. (2021). Multilevel evalua-
tion of rapid weight loss in wrestling and taekwondo [Original Research]. Frontiers in 
Sociology, 6, 75. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.637671.

Clarys, P., Ramon, K., Hagman, F., Deriemaeker, P., & Zinzen, E. (2010). Influence 
of weight reduction on physical performance capacity in judokas. Journal of Combat 
Sports and Martial Arts, 1(2), 71–76. Retrieved from: http://medsport.pl/wp-content/
uploads/file/journal_of_combat/2010_02/111_Clarys.pdf.

Coufalová, K., Cochrane, D., Maly, T., & Heller, J. (2014). Changes in body composition, 
anthropometric indicators and maximal strength due to weight reduction in judo. Archi-
ves of Budo, 10(1), 161-168.

Cronin, J., Lawton, T., Harris, N., Kilding, A., & McMaster, D. T. (2017). A brief review 
of handgrip strength and sport performance. Journal of  Strength and Conditioning Re-
search, 31(11), 3187-3217. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002149.

Degoutte, F., Jouanel, P., Bègue, R. J., Colombier, M., Lac, G., Pequignot, J. M., & 
Filaire, E. (2006). Food restriction, performance, biochemical, psychological, and en-
docrine changes in judo athletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 27(1), 9–18. 
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-837505.

Demirkan, E., Koz, M., Kutlu, M., & Favre, M. (2015). Comparison of physical and 
physiological profiles in elite and amateur young wrestlers. Journal of Strength and Con-
ditioning Research, 29(7), 1876–1883. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000833.

Filaire, E., Maso, F., Degoutte, F., Jouanel, P., & Lac, G. (2001). Food restriction, per-
formance, psychological state and lipid values in judo athletes International Journal of 
Sports Medicine, 22(6), 454–459. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-16244.

Franchini, E., Schwartz, J., & Takito, M. Y. (2018). Maximal isometric handgrip 
strength: comparison between weight categories and classificatory table for adult judo 
athletes. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 14(6), 968–973. https://doi.org/10.12965/
jer.1836396.198.

García-Pallarés, J., López-Gullón, J. M., Muriel, X., Díaz, A., & Izquierdo, M. (2011). 
Physical fitness factors to predict male Olympic wrestling performance. European Jo-

https://www.asep.org/asep/asep/JEPonlineOCTOBER2018_Alves.pdf
https://doi.org/10.18053/jctres.02.201602.004
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.637671
http://medsport.pl/wp-content/uploads/file/journal_of_combat/2010_02/111_Clarys.pdf
http://medsport.pl/wp-content/uploads/file/journal_of_combat/2010_02/111_Clarys.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002149
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-837505
https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000833
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-16244
https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836396.198
https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836396.198


100

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

urnal of Applied Physiology, 111(8), 1747–1758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-
1809-8.

Gerodimos, V., Karatrantou, K., Dipla, K., Zafeiridis, A., Tsiakaras, N., & Sotiriadis, 
S. (2013). Age-related differences in peak handgrip strength between wrestlers and no-
nathletes during the developmental years. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Rese-
arch, 27(3), 616–623. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318257812e.

Isacco, L., Degoutte, F., Ennequin, G., Pereira, B., Thivel, D., & Filaire, E. (2020). Ra-
pid weight loss influences the physical, psychological and biological responses during 
a simulated competition in national judo athletes. European Journal of Sport Science, 
20(5), 580–591. http://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1657503.

Jlid, M. C., Maffulli, N., Elloumi, M., Moalla, W., & Paillard, T. (2013). Rapid weight 
loss alters muscular performance and perceived exertion as well as postural control in 
elite wrestlers. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 53(6), 620–627

Khodaee, M., Olewinski, L., Shadgan, B., & Kiningham, R. R. (2015). Rapid weight loss 
in sports with weight classes. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 14(6), 435–441. https://
doi.org/10.1249/jsr.0000000000000206.

Lakicevic, N., Roklicer, R., Bianco, A., Mani, D., Paoli, A., Trivic, T., ... Drid, P. (2020). 
Effects of rapid weight loss on judo athletes: a systematic review. Nutrients, 12(5), 1220. 
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051220.

Marttinen, R. H., Judelson, D. A., Wiersma, L. D., & Coburn, J. W. (2011). Effects 
of self-selected mass loss on performance and mood in collegiate wrestlers. Journal 
of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(4), 1010–1015. https://doi.org/10.1519/
JSC.0b013e318207ed3f.

Nikooie, R., Cheraghi, M., & Mohamadipour, F. (2017). Physiological determinants of 
wrestling success in elite Iranian senior and junior Greco-Roman wrestlers. Journal of 
Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57(3), 219–226. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-
4707.16.06017-5.

Ørtenblad, N., Westerblad, H., & Nielsen, J. (2013). Muscle glycogen stores and fa-
tigue. The Journal of Physiology, 591(18), 4405–4413. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysi-
ol.2013.251629.

Ranisavljev, M., Kuzmanovic, J., Todorovic, N., Roklicer, R., Dokmanac, M., Baic, M., 
Stajer, V., Ostojic, S. M., & Drid, P. (2022). Rapid Weight Loss Practices in Grapplers 
Competing in Combat Sports. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3389/
fphys.2022.842992.

Roklicer, R., Lakicevic, N., Stajer, V., Trivic, T., Bianco, A., Mani, D., … Drid, P. (2020). 
The effects of rapid weight loss on skeletal muscle in judo athletes. Journal of Translati-
onal Medicine, 18(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02315-x.

Roklicer, R., Rossi, C., Bianco, A., Štajer, V., Maksimovic, N., Manojlovic, M., ... & 
Drid, P. (2022). Rapid weight loss coupled with sport-specific training impairs heart 
rate recovery in greco-roman wrestlers. Applied Sciences, 12(7), 3286. https://doi.
org/10.3390/app12073286.

Serfass, R. C., Stull, G. A., Alexander, J. F., & Ewing Jr, J. L. (1984). The effects of rapid 
weight loss and attempted rehydration on strength and endurance of the handgripping 
muscles in college wrestlers. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 55(1), 46–52. 
https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.1984.10605354.

Todorović, N., Ranisavljev, M., Tapavički, B., Zubnar, A., Kuzmanović, J., Štajer, V., 
… Drid, P. (2021). Principles of rapid weight loss in female sambo athletes. Internati-

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1809-8
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1809-8
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318257812e
http://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1657503
https://doi.org/10.1249/jsr.0000000000000206
https://doi.org/10.1249/jsr.0000000000000206
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051220
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318207ed3f 
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318207ed3f 
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.16.06017-5
https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.16.06017-5
https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2013.251629
https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2013.251629
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.842992
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.842992
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02315-x
https://doi.org/10.3390/app12073286
https://doi.org/10.3390/app12073286
https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.1984.10605354


ANNALES KINESIOLOGIAE • 12 • 2021 • 2

101

Carlo ROSSI, Roberto ROKLICER, Antonino BIANCO, Marko MANOJLOVIC, Barbara GILIC, Tatjana TRIVIC and Patrik DRID: THE EFFECT ..., 91–101

nal Journal of  Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), 11356. https://doi.
org/10.3390/ijerph182111356.

Yoon, J. (2002). Physiological profiles of elite senior wrestlers. Sports Medicine, 32(4), 
225–233. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200232040-00002.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111356
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111356
https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200232040-00002

	_Hlk89942516
	_Hlk103676616
	_Hlk111804760
	_Hlk111802738
	_Hlk30149664
	_Hlk111710665

