Physical Fitness Measures of Cadet Wrestlers

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to describe the physical fitness profile of elite cadet wrestlers. Forty-four wrestlers (age: 15.66±0.56 years, weight: 65.75± 16.65 kg and height: 167.8±9.6 cm) who were invited to the national training camps participated in this study. The physical fitness parameters included body weight, maximal oxygen consumption (Bruce protocol), muscular endurance (pull-ups, push-ups, bent-knee sit-ups) and strength (bench press), exclusive power (Standing long jump), speed (40-yd sprint) and agility (4 × 9-m shuttle run). The major results (mean ± SD) are as follows: maximal oxygen consumption (ml·kg -1 ·min -1): 46.84±3.76; standing long jump (cm): 227.45±20.86; 1-repetition maximum bench press (weight lifted kg in relative to the body weight): 0.88±0.16; push-ups (rep/min): 53.48±10.04; pull-ups (rep): 16.32±8.14; sit-ups (rep/min): 53.41±9.82; speed (s): 6.03±0.46 and agility (s): 9.62±0.65. The present study provides baseline data that have been used in the prescription of individual training programs for these athletes. This information is also available to the coaches and can contribute to the general strategy employed by a wrestler and for a specific match. INTRODUCTION Numerous specially designed training clubs exist to train and educate talented adolescent wrestlers. The main goal of these organizations is to build up a group of wrestlers who are internationally competitive. Scientific evaluations of physical capacity, preparation of training schedule together with healthy maturation are critically important for improving the performance of these athletes [7]. ""Cadet"" is an official age group designation for international competition by the international governing body of wrestling (International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles). Cadet continental Championships are held annually for these wrestlers who are between 15 and 16 years old (have not turned 17).

Full text

International Journal of Wrestling Science Volume: 1 (1)
PHYSICAL FITNESS MEASURES OF CADET WRESTLERS
Bahman Mirzaei1, David G. Curby 2, Ioanis Barbas3, Navid Lotfi1
1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of P.E and sport sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 USA wrestling
3 Democritos University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
bmirzaei2000@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present investigation was to describe the physical fitness profile of elite cadet wrestlers. Forty-
four wrestlers (age: 15.66±0.56 years, weight: 65.75± 16.65 kg and height: 167.8±9.6 cm) who were invited to the
national training camps participated in this study. The physical fitness parameters included body weight, maximal
oxygen consumption (Bruce protocol), muscular endurance (pull-ups, push-ups, bent-knee sit-ups) and strength
(bench press), exclusive power (Standing long jump), speed (40-yd sprint) and agility (4 × 9-m shuttle run). The
major results (mean ± SD) are as follows: maximal oxygen consumption (ml·kg-1·min-1): 46.84±3.76; standing
long jump (cm): 227.45±20.86; 1-repetition maximum bench press (weight lifted kg in relative to the body weight):
0.88±0.16; push-ups (rep/min): 53.48±10.04; pull-ups (rep): 16.32±8.14; sit-ups (rep/min): 53.41±9.82; speed (s):
6.03±0.46 and agility (s): 9.62±0.65. The present study provides baseline data that have been used in the
prescription of individual training programs for these athletes. This information is also available to the coaches
and can contribute to the general strategy employed by a wrestler and for a specific match.
KEY WORDS: wrestling, testing, fitness, evaluation, cadet
INTRODUCTION
Numerous specially designed training clubs exist to train and educate talented adolescent wrestlers. The main
goal of these organizations is to build up a group of wrestlers who are internationally competitive. Scientific
evaluations of physical capacity, preparation of training schedule together with healthy maturation are critically
important for improving the performance of these athletes [7]. „„Cadet‟‟ is an official age group designation for
international competition by the international governing body of wrestling (International Federation of Associated
Wrestling Styles). Cadet continental Championships are held annually for these wrestlers who are between 15
and 16 years old (have not turned 17).
In the sport of wrestling, wrestlers need to have a high level of physical, mental, technical and tactical preparation
to perform successfully in national and international level competitions. With a better understanding of the
physiological features in wresting, it is possible to diagnose and evaluate the performance of the wrestler and to
provide suggestions for development of fitness for competition. The sport of wrestling is one of the most
demanding sports from a metabolic perspective and it is a sport where the requirement of absolute strength and
power is critical [5, 8, 11]. Arabaci and Çankaya (2008) reported that VO2max and speed of cadet wrestlers were
47.5±3 ml·kg-1·min-1 and 5.82±0.2 s, respectively [3]. Ziagil et al (1996) indicated that the VO2max of cadet
wrestlers is 48.84 ml·kg-1·min-1 and their aerobic capacity increased 1.49% in a year [14]. Yoon (2002) reported
that the maximal oxygen uptake of national and international wrestlers taking part in international competition has
been shown to be about 53 to 56 (ml·kg-1 min-1). He also indicated that the flexibility of top-level wrestlers was
higher than that of lower level wrestlers [13]. Rahmani-Nia et al. (2007) determined the physiological profile of
Iranian junior Greco-Roman wrestlers. They measured muscular endurance and strength, maximal oxygen
uptake, agility and speed [10]. Mirzaei et al. (2009) investigated the physiological profile of Iranian junior freestyle
wrestlers. They reported mean and standard deviation of body weight (kg): 77.5 ± 19.8; flexibility (cm): 38.2 ±
3.94; VO2max (ml·kg-1·min-1): 50.5 ± 4.7; maximal anaerobic power (W): 455.5 ± 87.6; push-ups (rep/min): 66.9 ±
7.6; pull-ups (rep): 31.6 ± 9.7; bent-knee sit-ups (rep/min): 66.5 ± 8; speed (s): 5.07 ± 0.17; agility (s): 8.7± 0.25
and body fat (%): 10.6 ± 3.8 [9].
The information regarding profiles of cadet wrestlers is limited. Furthermore, the major use of testing is to
establish the strengths and weaknesses of the athlete, and this is done by comparing test results to other athletes
in the same training group, the same sport or a similar population group. Therefore, the purpose of this study was
to describe the physical fitness profile of elite cadet wrestlers.

International Journal of Wrestling Science Volume: 1 (1)
Methods
Subjects: 44 elite Iranian cadet wrestlers who were invited to the national training camps periodically participated
in this study. They all had at least 5 years‟ training experience. All wrestlers were assessed during the specific
preparatory phase of the season. Before participating, subjects and subjects‟ parents (for those were under the
age of 15) read and signed an informed consent statement in adherence with the human subject‟s guidelines of
Iran‟s NOC (National Olympic Committee) Research Center.
Testing procedures: The tests selected were familiar to the wrestlers through previous use in training and have
a history of use in the literature of wrestling profiles. The physical fitness parameters included cardiovascular
endurance, muscular endurance and strength, speed, agility, and explosive power. Height and weight were also
recorded. The subject performed a graded treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol) to estimate VO2max. A 40-yd
sprint test was used to assess speed. A pull-ups test (with palms facing the subject) was used to assess muscular
endurance and a 1-minute bent-knee sit-ups test was used to assess abdominal muscular endurance. The bent-
knee sit-ups test required the subject to lock his hands behind his head and touch his elbows to the thigh with a
partner holding his ankles. A 4 × 9-m shuttle run test was used to assess agility. The subject touched a sensor
with his hand at each 9-m line [9]. Explosive power was measured with the standing long jump test where the
subjects were instructed to perform a long jump from a standing position. Standardized instructions were given to
subjects that permitted them to begin the jump with bent knees and swing their arms to assist in the jump. A line
drawn on a hard surface served as the starting line. The length of the jump was determined using a tape
measure, which was affixed to the floor. Each subject was given 3 trials, and the distance of the best jump was
measured. The longest jump was used as the test score [1]. Bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) was
estimated from a 1-3 RM effort using the equation described by Wathan [12]. Each athlete was given three to six
attempts with progressively increasing weight to achieve a 1-3 RM with 3-5 minutes‟ rest between attempts.
Experienced and certified strength and conditioning coaches supervised all testing [2]. The testing was completed
in three days in a standardized order to allow adequate recovery.
RESULTS
Subject data and weight class representation in the 10 official weight classes are shown in Table 1.The
performance measures of the wrestlers are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Table 2 contains testing results for
maximal oxygen uptake, exclusive power, agility and speed. Muscular endurance and strength measurements are
listed in Table 3.
Table 1. Subject descriptive data (means ± SD)
Weight class
N
Age (yr)
Height (cm)
Weight (kg)
BMI (kg/m2)
42 kg
4
14.75±0.95
152±0.04
43.75±1.5
18.95±0.82
46 kg
4
15.25±0.50
154±0.01
47.25±1.5
19.92±0.73
50 kg
5
15.60±0.54
162±0.05
51.60±1.34
19.64±0.88
54 kg
3
15.67±0.57
161±0.06
54.66±1.15
21.05±1.57
58 kg
6
15.50±0.54
164±0.04
59.83±1.72
22.05±1.09
63 kg
5
16.00
172±0.04
65.60±0.54
22.10±1.19
69 kg
5
16.00
171±0.04
72.20±2.58
24.50±1.61
76 kg
4
16.00
175±0.02
79.25±0.95
25.81±0.62
85 kg
3
16.00
177±0.02
87.33±3.05
27.78±1.36
100 kg
5
15.80±0.44
179±.012
96.00±3.39
29.96±1.16
Total
44
15.66±0.56
1.67±0.09
65.75±16.65
23.15±3.66
Table 2. VO2max, Speed, Agility and explosive power (means ± SD)
Wt class
VO2max (ml·kg-1·min-1)
40-yd (s)4×9-m shuttle run (s)
Standing long jump (cm)
42 kg
45.00±3.46
6.21±0.63
9.79±0.65
208.75±15.47
46 kg
45.25±3.30
6.34±0.46
10.03±0.93
202.50±9.57
50 kg
47.00±2.34
6.25±0.25
9.33±0.54
222.00±8.36
54 kg
49.67±2.08
6.14±0.21
9.14±0.95
218.33±16.07
58 kg
49.50±4.08
5.76±0.21
9.67±0.64
228.33±10.32
63 kg
46.40±3.91
5.89±0.58
9.19±0.43
243.40±13.12
69 kg
46.20±5.16
5.61±0.22
9.30±0.64
231.60±39.62
76 kg
48.75±4.71
6.03±0.42
9.61±0.37
249.50±3.31
85 kg
47.00±2.00
5.79±0.17
9.73±0.94
235.00±21.79
100 kg
44.00±3.00
6.37±0.65
10.40±0.35
230.00±12.74
Total
46.84±3.76
6.03±0.46
9.62±0.65
227.45±20.86

International Journal of Wrestling Science Volume: 1 (1)
Table 3. Muscular endurance and strength (means ± SD)
Weight class
Push-ups (rep/min)
Pull-ups (rep)
Sit-ups (rep/min)
Bench press (kg.kg
-1
)
42 kg
60.50±12.50
16.00±4.89
56.25±8.01
1.02±0.08
46 kg
60.50±11.12
20.75±6.70
56.25±10.59
1.03±0.10
50 kg
52.00±9.74
18.60±7.76
52.00±9.74
0.92±0.19
54 kg
57.67±2.08
27.67±14.57
61.00±7.81
0.91±0.01
58 kg
50.50±6.26
17.33±5.50
50.50±6.25
0.88±0.21
63 kg
56.80±8.46
21.80±5.40
56.80±8.46
0.93±0.06
69 kg
58.40±2.70
14.80±5.35
57.20±4.32
0.91±0.11
76 kg
54.25±8.22
15.00±3.46
54.25±8.22
0.81±0.14
85 kg
47.00±4.58
8.00±2.00
51.00±11.35
0.71±0.06
100 kg
39.80±12.29
4.80±2.16
42.80±16.51
0.71±0.18
Total
53.48±10.04
16.32±8.14
53.41±9.82
0.88±0.16
DISCUSSION
The results of the current study can be used to establish a wrestlers‟ profile that is in alignment with the current
rules. Although wrestling performance involves explosive techniques which are highly anaerobic and of a high
power nature, the aerobic energy system plays a major role in successful wrestling because the energy required
by muscle during break between two periods, recovery between two matches and even between points in a
match comes from aerobic sources. Hence, one of the most important factors affecting wrestlers‟ performance is
maximum oxygen uptake. The mean maximum oxygen values of the subjects participated in this study (Table 2)
was very close to that reported by Ziagil et al. (1996) [14].
In the present study, subjects had a high level of explosive power. The importance of lower-body power in
wrestling lies in the ability of the wrestlers to lift his opponent during certain offensive maneuvers and to resist
attacks by his opponent [4]. The result of speed test was very close to that reported by Arabaci and Çankaya
(2008) [3]. The results of agility and speed tests in our study were lower than the results of Mirzaei et al. (2009)
[9]. This difference is possibly due to that the fact that the subjects in present study included cadet wrestlers,
whereas the subjects of Mirzaei‟s study were junior wrestlers. However, having high levels of speed and agility
help the wrestlers perform techniques quickly in competition. In push-ups and sit-ups tests, the subjects had high
scores. High muscular endurance allows for good stability in attack and defensive positions.
Upper body strength is a prerequisite for the successful performance of techniques such as the gut-wrench and
lifting of the opponent. In the present study, the wrestlers of 42 and 46 kg weight classes had a relative strength
higher than other classes. Wrestling is a high intensity sport which requires strength and power of both the upper
and lower body as well as relying heavily on isometric force for various wrestling techniques [4, 6, 8, 13].
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS/ADVICE FOR ATHLETES AND COACHES
It is quite useful to provide weight class specific means that can be used in evaluation of individual wrestlers, as
well as providing legitimate targets that can be used in goal-setting.
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