Experts Issue Guidelines on Safe Weight Loss for Athletes
June 22nd, 2011
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Gymnasts, wrestlers and boxers often feel pressure to lose weight to boost performance, but the drastic methods they sometimes use — including strictly limiting calories and intentional dehydration — can be dangerous to their health, experts warn. To offer guidance to athletes, coaches and parents, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has issued a new set of guidelines for safe weight loss by athletes.
They include: using body composition assessments to measure lean body mass versus fat; gradually shedding no more than 1.5 percent of body weight a week; eating a balanced diet that includes all food groups; and losing weight under the supervision of nutrition, health and weight management experts.
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