Determining a minimum wrestling weight for interscholastic wrestlers

BACKGROUND. Junior high school and high school boys participating in inters cholastic wrestling are at risk when allowed to compete in a weight class t hat is too low, which can adversely affect their growth and general health. This study compared 3 different methods that physicians may use to determi ne the minimum wrestling weight of junior high and high school wrestlers. METHODS. At an unannounced school visit, the minimum wrestling weight of th e wrestlers was calculated on the basis of 3 different methods of estimatin g the percentage of body fat: (1) Lange calipers; (2) the Ross Laboratories Adipometer calipers; and (3) bioimpedance analysis. RESULTS. Over a 2-year period, 104 boys interested in interscholastic wrest ling participated in this comparison. Correlation among all 3 methods was v ery high (consistently more than 98%). However, the 2 caliper methods agree d most closely with each other, with the Ross caliper overestimating minimu m wrestling weight by an average of 0.6 kg. As compared with the Lange cali per method, bioimpedance underestimated minimum wrestling weight by an aver age of 2 kg. CONCLUSIONS. The agreement between the 2 caliper methods was sufficient to allow the simple, inexpensive caliper to be used instead of the more expens ive Lange caliper. The bioimpedance method, which overestimated the percent age of body fat compared with the other methods, would allow too much weigh t loss. Using 3 quick skinfold measurements obtained with the inexpensive p lastic Ross calipers and a chart of values, physicians can accurately calcu late minimum wrestling weight for interscholastic wrestlers.