The effect of water loading for acute weight loss following fluid restriction on sleep quality and quantity in combat sports athletes

Case Report: Effect of low energy availability and training load on sleep in a male combat sport athlete

“…In phase 3, where the athlete participated in AWL practices, a further reduction in TIB led to a moderate to very large increase in SE compared with the first two phases, however, TST decreased meaning the athlete fell short of the recommended 420 min per night ( 12 ). The TST achieved by the athlete in phase 3 is similar to other combat sport athletes who utilised low fibre/residue diets and water loading across 5-days (386 vs. 373 min); Dunican et al ( 29 ), whilst the SE of the athlete was remarkably higher than those same combat sport athletes (93.8 vs. 79%); Dunican et al ( 29 ). Our data suggests that combat sport athletes may achieve adequate sleep quality during the process of making weight, but that their sleep duration may be suboptimal in the days prior to competition due to changes in daily schedule.…”

“…Previously, when compared to high level athletes from non-weight making sports (e.g., racquet sports), a greater number of combat sport athletes perceived themselves to have had a sleep problem at some point in their lifetime ( 28 ). Furthermore, AWL practices may induce sleep disturbances in combat sport athletes leading into competition, yet current evidence has suggested this may not be the case when utilising techniques such as low fibre/residue diets and water loading across time periods of up to 5 days ( 29 ). Such findings suggest that sport specific factors are responsible for sleep differences between sporting demographics and in the case of combat sport athletes, associated periods of LEA may potentially result in sleep disturbances.…”