Mixed
Bodybuilding peak-week strategies involving carbohydrate supercompensation and acute water manipulation significantly increase the intracellular-to-extracellular water ratio (ICW/ECW) and phase angle, indicating fluid shifts from subcutaneous to intracellular compartments.
If you are a competitive bodybuilder, your peak week strategy of high carbohydrate intake combined with initial high water intake followed by a reduction can effectively shift water from under the skin into the muscles. This increases muscle fullness and definition (higher phase angle) even if your total body weight or total water volume decreases slightly. Monitor your bioelectrical impedance if possible to track this shift.
The present study showed significant changes in body water fractions and BIA parameters from the day-before competition to show-day in competitive bodybuilders. We observed a large increase in the ICW/ECW ratio, which was mediated by a moderate increase in ICW and a large decrease in ECW.
Why this rating
Pilot study with small sample size (n=11) and lack of control group, but uses objective BIA metrics.
Source
Changes in Intra-to-Extra-Cellular Water Ratio and Bioelectrical Parameters from Day-Before to Day-Of Competition in Bodybuilders: A Pilot Study
João Pedro Nunes et al. · Sports · 2022
DOI 10.3390/sports10020023
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →