The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a competitive wrestling season on body composition, muscular strength, and muscular power in NCAA Division III college wrestlers. Previous studies have demonstrated that fat-free mass, power and strength all declined from pre-post season.

Severe dieting practices lead to rapid weight loss and dehydration, which can have negative implications for the health of wrestlers. Ten collegiate wrestlers participated in this study who all had at least seven years of wrestling experience under their belt, so to speak. The wrestlers included in this study were not heavyweight wrestlers and had a combined record of 131-122, so just over 500.

The Athletes Were Assessed On Three Separate Occasions During The Wrestling Season:

• One in October (pre season)
• One in January (mid-season)
• One in March and early April (post season)

A Number Of Outcome Variables Were Assessed:

• Weight
• Body composition (using skinfold calipers)
• Muscular strength
• Power
• Vertical jump

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Results:

Wrestler's lost an average of about 5 pounds in the five days prior to a match. There were no significant differences in muscular power, but a significant decrease in muscular strength as back squat and bench press measures were lower at mid-season than pre or post season.

The authors speculated on why the athletes did not lose power, but did lose strength during the season. All of the athletes were encouraged to train, but by mid-December, none of them were weight training.

Similarly, during mid-season, the athletes may have just been very fatigued; the overall weight losses were not tremendously high compared to the practices of many wrestlers.

I would venture a guess that if an athlete were to lose a significantly greater amount of weight than they did, strength and power would have both decreased over the course of the season.

Take Home Test:

Without drastic weight losses, power can be maintained over a wrestling season. Strength did decline significantly, which to me suggests that athletes were fatigued because they were not consuming sufficient calories to meet their energy demands.

With additional nutrient dense foods, and regular prompting/coaching about proper weight training, the athletes could have maintained their strength throughout the season.

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The goal is to be as strong as possible and as fit as possible to help one overcome his/her opponent. It is impossible to make blanket dietary recommendations because a wrestler who is 130 lbs will be much different than one who is in the heavyweight class.

I think a solid weight training program, though, will definitely complement the in season wrestling training.

It is very easy to overtrain with the seemingly endless hours of sport specific training in addition to weight training. Therefore, while weight training is crucial, it should not be overdone.

It is most important to focus on compound movements that include large muscle groups and many different muscles with one movement (squats, cleans, bench, etc).

A Sample Program For Athletes May Look Like This.