WEIGHT-LOSS PATTERNS AND SUCCESS RATES IN HIGH-SCHOOL WRESTLERS

Purpose: The purposes were to: 1) examine the weight loss patterns in a group of high school varsity wrestlers whose teams participated in a body composition measurement/nutrition education program, and 2) test the hypothesis that wrestling at a weight below recommended Minimum W restling Weight (MWW) results in decreased wrestling success. Methods: We measured skinfold thickness in 465 wrestlers at 16 schools and, us ing the Lohman method, determined their percent body fat. An education al program presented at each school explained the results, provided nu tritional information regarding proper diet and methods of weight loss , and suggested a voluntary MWW corresponding to 5% body fat. After ex cluding the heavyweight wrestlers, there were 159 varsity wrestlers. A t the end of the season, we noted their weight class and whether they placed in post-season state championship qualifying tournaments. Resul ts: We found that 53 wrestlers (33%) wrestled below MWW. When analyzed by school, wrestlers' non-adherence to MWW ranged from 0% to 56% of a ll wrestlers. In the lightest four weight classes, 62% wrestled below MWW; in the middle four classes, 29%; and in the heaviest four classes , 6%. Of the 53 wrestlers below MWW, 57% placed and of the 106 above M WW, 33% placed (P < 0.01). Conclusions: These results show that a subs tantial number of wrestlers who participate in a voluntary body fat me asurement and diet education program wrestle below recommended MWW. Th is is particularly true at lower weight classes. Further, wrestling be low MWW was associated with greater wrestling success. The current con cept of MWW should not be based on wrestling performance effects.