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

NCT ID: NCT07118904

Last Updated: 2025-09-02

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

12 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-18

Study Completion Date

2026-06-30

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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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.

Conditions

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Dehydration Weight Loss Weight Cycling Sleep

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Randomized counterbalanced crossover design study (Two experimental trial a control trial)
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Dehydration + Dehydrated Night Trial

In this trial 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.

Athletes will be permitted to engage in a routine night without rehydration. During this period, their sleep quality will be recorded with a sleep tracker. 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.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Rapid weight loss through dehydration

Intervention Type OTHER

Dehydration will be induced by exposing athletes to sauna heat with an average temperature of 70-80°C. The participants will undergo consecutive 15 minute sessions in sauna with 5 minute breaks until 3% weight loss is achieved. No liquids or food will be consumed between sessions.

Dehydration + Rehydrated Night Trial

In this trial 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 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.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Rapid weight loss through dehydration

Intervention Type OTHER

Dehydration will be induced by exposing athletes to sauna heat with an average temperature of 70-80°C. The participants will undergo consecutive 15 minute sessions in sauna with 5 minute breaks until 3% weight loss is achieved. No liquids or food will be consumed between sessions.

Control Trial

No intervention will be conducted. All tests to be used to measure dependent variables will be conducted in accordance with the Experimental trial 1 protocol.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Rapid weight loss through dehydration

Dehydration will be induced by exposing athletes to sauna heat with an average temperature of 70-80°C. The participants will undergo consecutive 15 minute sessions in sauna with 5 minute breaks until 3% weight loss is achieved. No liquids or food will be consumed between sessions.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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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.
Minimum Eligible Age

17 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

28 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Abant Izzet Baysal University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Umid Karli, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Coaching Education

Locations

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Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Faculty of Sport Sciences,

Bolu, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Umid Karli, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+90 374 254 10 00 ext. 7501

Kutlu Aydın, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+90374 254 10 00 ext. 7532

Facility Contacts

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Umid Karli, PhD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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BAIBU-SBF-UK-03

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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