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NCT Number: NCT07567937

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Weight Loss Behavior Body Weight Body Weight Changes Exercise Motor Activity Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Sports Sciences Laboratory

Ankara, 06000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

See brief summary for study protocol details

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between 18 and 35 years of age
  • Being clinically healthy
  • Actively competing in wrestling
  • Having regular training experience
  • No history of chronic disease
  • No musculoskeletal injury that could affect performance
  • Not using any medication or nutritional supplements that could influence hematological or biochemical parameters during the study period
  • Willing to volunteer and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Having any chronic disease (e.g., cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, or neurological disorders)
  • Having a recent musculoskeletal injury that could affect exercise performance
  • Using medications, ergogenic aids, or nutritional supplements that might influence hematological or biochemical parameters
  • Having a history of smoking or alcohol abuse
  • Failing to complete the testing procedures and training protocol required for the study
  • Not providing written informed consent
  • Withdrawing voluntarily during the study period

Treatment and study plan

Exercise

Other

Standardized wrestling exercise session; pre- and post-exercise venous blood collected

Other names: Behavioral

Rapid Weight Loss

Other

5-day rapid weight loss protocol achieving average 4.3% body mass reduction

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Leukocyte Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in total white blood cell (WBC) count measured from pre- to post-exercise

  2. Change in Lymphocyte Percentage

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in percentage of lymphocytes relative to total WBC count, measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  3. Change in CD3+ T Cell Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in absolute count of CD3+ T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  4. Change in CD4+ T Cell Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in absolute count of CD4+ helper T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  5. Change in CD8+ T Cell Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in absolute count of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  6. Change in CD19+ B Cell Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in absolute count of CD19+ B lymphocytes measured from pre- to post-exercise.

  7. Change in CD16/56+ NK Cell Count

    Time frame: Pre- and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Change in absolute count of CD16/56+ natural killer (NK) cells measured from pre- to post-exercise.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Creatine Kinase and Lactic Acid Levels

    Time frame: Pre-exercise and post-exercise (Day 1 for Exercise Only group; Day 5 for Exercise + Rapid Weight Loss group)

    Serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactic acid (LA) levels measured to assess anaerobic performance and muscle damage.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Exercise and Short-Term Rapid Weight Loss on Whole Blood Cells and Lymphocyte Subsets in Highly Trained National-Level Wrestlers: A Two-Phase Repeated-Measures Study

Acronym: EX-RWL-Lymphoc

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
May 5, 2026
Registry last updated
May 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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