Research

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.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
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.
João Pedro Nunes et al. · Sports · 2022

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

cross_sectional · n=11Cited 12×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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