The sport of powerlifting is composed of competitive weight classes. As such, during the competitive growth of a powerlifter, they are faced with the decisions to choose a weight class to compete in. However, for a competitive advantage, a majority of competitive powerlifters choose to sit slightly above their chosen weight class and weight cut into competition.
In this episode of the PRS Podcast we sit down with expert nutritionist, podcast host, coach and competitive fighter and powerlifter, Danny Lennon, MSc to discuss the topic of weight manipulation for the weight class sport of powerlifting. With the high variability of weight classes between federations, weigh in time period, and changes in weight classes within federations, we feel it's important to have an educated discussion about this to help athletes, coaches, and rehab clinicians, in the weight class/cut decisions making process to optimize short term and long term performance and physical and psychological health of the powerlifter.
Some of the topics we covered in this episode include:
- What is a weight cut/loss versus a water cut and how does this vary depending on the "weigh in" time frame and goals of the lifter?
- How should someone decide when one or both is appropriate?
- What are factors that help you determine if confining to a weight class is appropriate for an athlete?
- Is the process different based on biological sex?
- What are non-dietary/training related factors that influence someone's ability to successfully manage and manipulate weight to be successful at weigh in and in a weight class
- How sleep and stress affect recovery and performance as well as body weight DURING meet week/water cut and long term
- What are the psychological implications of acute weight loss/manipulation and long term fat loss/caloric deficit?
- 2 versus 24 hour weigh ins - can we approach these differently from a long term and acute perspective?
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