National Collegiate Athletic Association

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The NCAA News -- September 27, 1999

Sports Sciences Education Newsletter

Wrestling weight certification program results indicate student-athletes are managing weight appropriately

BY JAMES R. SCOTT
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIV.

Concern over rapid weight reduction in the sport of wrestling has been a health issue for decades. The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport, the NCAA Wrestling Committee, and the National Wrestling Coaches Association have assisted in the study of the various issues related to wrestling weight reduction in 1991, 1992, 1998 and 1999. This was done to determine the nature of weight gain and most recently percent body fat of the wrestling competitors related to the weight management process. Weight management encompasses the overall process of achieving a specific competitive weight through the season and in preparation for specific competition. In a positive perspective it involves the manipulation of body fat and lean body mass to achieve an optimum competitive body composition. In a negative perspective it involves the manipulation of body water, as well as body mass and body fat and may involve fluid and caloric restriction to achieve competitive weight.

Purpose

The purpose of the present study of weight, body composition, and weight gain in wrestlers was to determine if the current NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification process was associated with improvements in weight management in wrestlers. Specifically, the project looked at 1) changes in body weight in relation to body composition over the 1998-99 season, and 2) differences in weight gain, following the NCAA Tournament weigh-in, under the 1998-99 rules when compared to the rules in 1991-92 and 1997-98.

Method and Procedures

At the 1991 and 1992 NCAA Wrestling Tournament, wrestlers were assessed to determine the magnitude of weight gained between the weigh in and their weight an hour prior to competition. At that time the rules allowed for the weigh-in to be held the day prior to competition along with subsequent day weigh-ins. In 1998 and again in 1999 the weight gain at the NCAA Wrestling Tournament was assessed. Rules governing the weigh-in time and other weight management issues changed over these years. In the season leading up to the 1998 NCAA Tournament assessment, the weigh-in time was changed to one hour prior to dual meets and two hours prior to tournaments. In 1998 there was no subsequent day weigh-in at tournaments but in 1999 the wrestlers had to weigh-in each day of the tournament.

In the season leading up to the 1999 NCAA Tournament assessment a new NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification process was initiated. Employing the concepts in the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Position Statement: Weight-Loss in Wrestlers, this process involved the provision of educational guidelines, the addition of seven pounds to each weight class, pre-season body composition and hydration measurement, weight loss standards, and minimal body composition levels for wrestlers. The general intent was to have a positive impact on the weight management behaviors of wrestlers throughout the season and specifically near the time of competition.

Results

The results from the present study over the 1998-99 season including the 1999 NCAA Tournament can be divided into segments by purpose: 1) changes in body weight and body composition over the season, and 2) differences in weight gain, at the National Tournament weigh-in over years. Each school submitted measures of height, weight, skinfold thickness, and hydration for their athletes in October and again in December. These measures were taken again at the NCAA Tournaments for Division I and III by a team of assessors, prepared for the end of season measurement process.

These data from 4,338 wrestlers were analyzed to determine the changes in weight and body composition over the season. The weight decreased in the NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (n~420) from October to December such that the wrestlers lost an average of 6.74 pounds (range=4 _ to 9 pounds)

  • . During this same time period there was an average decrease of 2.38 percent body fat (range=1.75 percent to 3.5 percent)
  • across the weight classes. Generally, it can be stated that somewhere near half of the overall weight lost over the season came from the loss of fat. The decrease in body fat continued across the season whereas the weight loss took place primarily during the first eight weeks of the season. The body fat for the wrestlers in October was an average of 11.68 percent (range=10.22 percent to 13.9 percent)
  • while the NCAA Tournament body fat was an average of 9.39 percent (range=8.47 percent to 10.44 percent)
  • . There were few athletes at or below the ACSM suggested minimum value of five percent at any of the measurement time periods.

    Data from the 1991-92, 1998 and 1999 samples of NCAA Tournament Qualifiers were analyzed to determine the differences in the weight gain following the weigh-in across these different seasons. Weight gain is defined here as the amount of weight put back on as a result of, and following, the weight management process. Its measurement tends to reflect the variation between what the wrestler weighs and the limit of the weight class in which they compete. In 1992 this average weight gain was eight lbs. following a 20-hour period between the official weigh-in and the wrestler's weight one hour prior to competition. In 1998 this average weight gain was six pounds. following an approximate 12 hour period between the official weigh-in and the end of the first day's participation. In 1998 the one/two hour prior to competition weigh-in rule was used. In 1999, this average was 1.5 lbs. following the same (~12 hour) time period as the 1998 assessment.

    Discussion

    These 1999 NCAA Tournament measures were a result of a full season of the NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification process. This included the one/two hour weigh-in rule, the preseason assessment, and other adjustments as noted above, The amount of weight gain appears to have decreased significantly over the last decade. It is possible, however, that weight gain levels between 1992 and 1997 continued to increase increased, and there is some evidence to show this. The differences through the 1998 and 1999 NCAA Tournaments seasons appear to demonstrate that the amount of weight gain has declined as the NCAA committees, coaches, and scientist/clinicians have worked to establish rules to improve the weight management process. The changes between the 1998 and 1999 National Tournament data suggest that the season long approach designed into the NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification process is more effective than the changes made in the 1997-98 season.

    The wrestlers appear to be moving toward more positive and healthier weight management behaviors. The observable atmosphere at the NCAA Tournament weigh-in seems to confirm a trend toward a less stressful "making weight" process. Many wrestlers indicated that it is easier to "make weight" than in the past. The further study of weight management behaviors in conjunction with weight management programs should be utilized at all levels to determine their effectiveness.

  • Exclusive of 285 lbs. (heavy weight) weight class.