Mixed

Pre-contest preparation in physique athletes involves significant caloric restriction and high-volume training, leading to marked alterations in body composition, hormonal profiles, and psychometric outcomes, with sex-specific divergent responses in lean mass and hormone regulation.

If you are preparing for a physique competition, expect significant changes. You will likely lose 8-9% body fat over 3-8 months. Men may lose lean mass despite high protein intake, while women may maintain or slightly gain it. Hormones like testosterone will drop in men, and cortisol will rise in both sexes. Sleep quality and mood may suffer. This is a controlled stressor; manage it with consistent resistance training and gradual caloric deficits.