Gaining and losing weight in athletics
N. J. Smith
Participants in many sports, such as wrestling, gymnastics, and
light-weight crew, attempt to reduce body weight to achieve a maximum ratio
of muscle strength to body weight. Such weight reduction should result only
from reduction in excess body fat. In most instances, weight reduction
should be achieved at a rate of no more than 1 kg a week, through a modest
reduction in diet and a moderate increase in exercise. More rapid weight
reduction by starvation and dehydration compromises strength and endurance.
Athletes attempting to gain weight should increase weight as muscle mass,
not fat. Muscle mass is increased only through muscle work supported by an
appropriate increase in food intake. No food, vitamin, drug, or hormone
will increase muscle mass. It is recommended that the high caloric diet
required to support muscle growth from increased work should be low in
animal fats and cholesterol.
