Iowa wrestling study

Basal urinary samples were obtained from 60 finalists prior to the official weigh-in at the 1972 state high school wrestling championships. None of the subjects had medical histories of kidney disease, or had exercised, consumed food or liquid for at least 8 hours prior to measurement. Samples were also obtained from a similarly aged group of 45 non-wrestlers. The results demonstrated that the urinary profiles of the two groups differed significantly with regard to specific gravity, pH, osmolarity, sodium and potassium electrolyte concentrations, creatinine, protein and ketone content. These findings suggested that at the time of weigh-in the wrestlers were in a dehydrated state and that the high urinary levels of potassium warrant medical examination and concern for the possible existence of renal ischemia.