The effects of exercise training on heart have been widely explored. However, less understood are the effects of dehydration and rehydration on electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic (Echo) parameters in wrestlers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dehydration and rehydration on some ECG and Echo parameters. Fourteen healthy high school wrestlers (age 18.1±2.6 years, weight 77.2±10.2 kg, BMI 25.2±2.9 kg · m−2; mean±s) were randomly assigned to an experimental (loss of 3–4% of their weight through 10-min bouts in dry sauna) or a control (dry sauna exposure with mineral water proportionate to their body weight loss) group. Blood and urine sampling, 12-lead ECG, and echocardiogram were recorded in euhydration, dehydration, and 18 h after sauna. Moreover, a 6-min high-intensity arm ergometer cranking test (8×15 s intervals at maximum workload and 30 s active recovery) was completed in each of the three stages. Data were analysed with repeated-measures analysis of variance, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlations. Dehydration by 3–4% of body weight in sauna resulted in augmentation of the sum of amplitudes of P waves and QRS complexes (mm), but decreased left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and stroke volume (ml). As expected, rehydration was associated with recovery of the P wave and ECG parameters. In general, QRS amplitude correlated poorly with LVESV, LVEDV, and P wave, but was inversely related to stroke volume (r=–0.387, P=0.011). In conclusion, dehydration in Greco-Roman wrestlers results in physiological alterations (amplitude of the P wave and QRS complex, LVESV, LVEDV, and stroke volume) of the electrical properties of the passive volume conductor. Further research is necessary to assess the potential for adverse events and appropriateness of this short-term weight loss strategy for young wrestlers or other populations.
