Changes in Resting Metabolic Rate and Dietary Intake Among High School Wrestlers From Pre-Season to Post-Season

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate changes in resting metabolic rate and dietary intake that occur in a sample of high school wrestlers over the course of a year. The resting metabolic rate measurements and dietary intakes were compared over the duration of a wrestling season (pre-season, in-season, and post-season) for this cross-sectional, descriptive study. The sample consisted of 25 adolescent male wrestlers (mean age=15.5 years) who were participating in the 2006-2007 wrestling season. Resting metabolic rate was measured using the Vmax Encore metabolic cart with a ventilated canopy. Dietary intakes were collected using multiple pass 24-hour recalls and examined in terms of total energy intake, and percent of total calories coming from carbohydrate, fat and protein. Based on the results of this study, metabolic rate of the subjects did not change significantly from pre-season to in-season, and post-season. However, wrestlers' dietary intakes changed significantly during the year. Significant differences in their total energy intake (p=0.023) and carbohydrate intake (p=0.029) were observed between pre-season and post-season. Wrestlers consumed more energy and carbohydrate during the post-season compared with pre-season. Numerically, the lowest body weight, carbohydrate, fat, protein, and energy intakes were observed during pre-season; however, these findings were nonsignificant. No positive correlations were detected between dietary intakes and resting metabolic rate during any data collection periods. Further research on changes in resting metabolic rate and dietary intakes among high school wrestlers are warranted. Future studies should utilize large and representative samples of high school wrestlers and follow them over multiple wrestling seasons. Furthermore, more in-depth dietary analysis based on multiple food records is needed to gain knowledge on food choices and dietary patterns of high school wrestlers during the year.