Effects of Exercise and Short Term Rapid Weight Loss on Whole Blood Cells and Lymphocyte Subsets in Highly Trained National Level Wrestlers

Wrestling is a weight-classified sport in which athletes frequently apply rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies prior to competition. While the performance-related consequences of RWL have been widely investigated, its combined effects with exercise on hematological parameters and immune cell profiles remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of short-term weight loss and exercise on whole blood cell parameters and lymphocyte subsets in elite wrestlers. Nine elite male wrestlers actively competing in the senior category (mean age: 22.90 ± 5.15 years; mean height: 1.75 m) voluntarily participated in this study. Athletes will achieve an average body mass reduction of 4.3% over a five-day period. Venous blood samples will be collected at 09:30 a.m. in a fasted state during two experimental phases: (1) Exercise-only phase, with blood sampling before and after exercise (BRWL1 and BRWL2); (2) Exercise plus weight loss phase, following the five-day weight loss period, with blood sampling before and after exercise (ARWL1 and ARWL2). Complete blood count parameters will be analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer, while lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD16/56+) will be assessed by flow cytometry. Statistical analyses will be performed with a significance level set at p \< 0.05.

NCT Number	NCT07567937
Lead Sponsor	Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
Conditions	Weight Loss, Exercise
Enrollment	9 participants
Start Date	2021-06-21
Primary Completion	2022-04-03 (estimated)
Study Completion	2022-10-10 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-15