Protein nutritional status of adolescent wrestlers during periods weight reduction

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the seasonal change in the nutritional protein status of adolescent wrestlers who lost weight for competition. Additionally, this study determined if changes in plasma proteins and amino acids could be prevented through nutritional education and dietary supplementation. Twenty-seven adolescent wrestlers (14.8-18.1 yr) were divided into two groups for study during a three month period. One group received a nutritional education and supplement program, the other group served as a control. Height, weight, percent body fat, and free fat weight were measured during wrestling season. Venous blood samples were drawn and analyzed for essential (E) and nonessential (NE) plasma amino acids, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), retinol-binding protein (RBP), prealbumin (PA), albumin (AL), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Four, 4-day dietary records taken during the season were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, fat, and total calories. The results demonstrated that weight, percent body fat, and fat free weight decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.001), with no significant differences between treatment and control groups. The blood RBP and PA decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.01), whereas AL didNot change. Most of the amino acids did not show significant decreases during the experimental period whereas the total essential amino acids showed a decreasing trend (p<0.05), the total nonessential amino acids did not change. The subjects' average caloric intake showed significant decreases during the experimental period (p