Effect of Dehydration on Sleep Quality, Cognitive Skills, and Electromyographic Responses in Combat Athletes

The Effect of Acute Dehydration on Sleep Quality, Cognitive Skills, and Electromyographic Responses During Maximum Contraction in Combat Athletes

This study examines the effects of rapid dehydration-induced weight loss on combat athletes' sleep quality, cognitive skills, and isokinetic strength performance. The research documents both benefits and risks of weight-cutting practices for athletes, coaches, and medical staff in weight-class sports. Findings will guide safer weight management approaches and inform potential revisions to international weigh-in protocols, while contributing valuable insights to sports science.

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of rapid weight loss through dehydration on sleep quality, cognitive skills, and surface electromyographic (sEMG) responses during isokinetic strength performance in combat athletes. Additionally, the overall effect of acute dehydration and the potential adverse effects of dehydration on sleep quality on cognitive abilities, and sEMG responses will be evaluated. Body temperature and heart rate values will be monitored throughout the study. Finally, the effect of rehydration on cognitive skills, strength, and sEMG responses after a night of dehydration will be evaluated.

Competitive senior male combat athletes will participate in this study. The first stage will involve the determination of urine density, the recording of body weight, the measurement of body composition and total body fluid, and the recording of resting heart rate (HR) and body temperature. Subsequently, cognitive skill tests will be administered, and following a standard warm-up, sEMG data will be recorded from the dominant leg quadriceps muscle region during isokinetic leg strength measurements.

Following the completion of the pre-tests, each athlete will be subjected to two separate dehydration and control applications in accordance with the randomised crossover experimental design. In the experimental trials, 3% weight loss will be achieved with sauna application by taking the body weights recorded in the pre-test as a reference. Following the dehydration application, all measurements taken in the pre-test before the application will be repeated in order after approximately 45 minutes, with the athlete refraining from consuming any food or liquid.

Athletes in experimental trial 1 will be permitted to engage in a routine night without rehydration. During this period, their sleep quality will be recorded with a sleep monitor. The next day in the morning, all measurements taken in the pre-test will be repeated in order to evaluate the effect of dehydration and the possible negative effect of dehydration on sleep quality on the dependent variables. Following the completion of the morning measurements, the athletes will be permitted to consume fluids and food within two hours in order to reach their body weights in the pre-test. All tests will be reapplied for the last time to the athletes who have reached the state of rehydration, respectively. In the experimental trial 2, they will be permitted to rehydrate after the second measurements and will be asked to spend a routine night. The remaining tests will be repeated in accordance with the experimental trial 1 protocol. In the control trial, all tests in the experimental trials will be performed without body weight loss due to dehydration. All participants will be randomly assigned to the dehydration and control trials, with each athlete participating in the respective trial at one-week intervals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Voluntary participation
• Being combat athletes with prior rapid weight loss experience
• No existing health conditions
• No orthopedic injuries

Exclusion Criteria:

• Using of sleep-related medications
• Complications During the Intervention: Participants who experience any complications during experimental intervention.