Physical fitness differences between Freestyle and Greco-Roman elite wrestlers

Abstract

BackgroundThepurposeofthisstudywastoexaminethedifferencesintheanthropometrical,�physical,�neuromuscularand� physiologicalmarkersbetweenFreestyleandGreco-Romanelitemalewrestlers.�Secondly,�thisstudywascarried� outinordertovalidatethecrank-armWingatetesttoassesstheanaerobicmetabolismcontributionduringanof- ficialwrestlingmatch. �:� Ninetytwomalewrestlers,�comprisingof�39�Freestyleand�53�Greco-Romancompetitorstookpartinawrestling� tournament.�Dependingontheirwrestlingstyleandtheirbodymass�(light,�middleandheavyweight),�6�compe- titiondivisionswereformed:�LightWeight�(bodymassbetween�55-68�kg)�inFreestyle�(n=16)�andGreco-Roman� (n=18)�style;�MiddleWeight�(bodymassbetween�68-84�kg)�inFreestyle�(n=12)�andGreco-Roman�(n=24)�style;� andHeavyWeight�(bodymassbetween�84-100�kg)�inFreestyle�(n=11)�andGreco-Roman�(n=11)�style.�Thefi- nalistsineachgroupwererecruitedtocarryoutphysicalfitnessmarkercomparisons�(n=36). � Results:� Nodifferenceswereobservedinanyanthropometrical,�physical,�neuromuscularorphysiologicalmarkersbetween� FreestyleandGreco-Romanelitewrestlersinanyweightclass.�Thepeakbloodlactatevaluesattainedduringthe� simulatedtournamentweresignificantly�(p�≤�0.05)�higherthanthosedetectedfollowingthecrank-armWingate� testinthesixstudiedgroups. � Conclusions:� Thepresentresultssuggestthatthecurrentofficialruledifferencesbetweenbothwrestlingstylesdonotpromote� anyanthropometricalorphysicalfitnessdifferencesinelitewrestlers.�The�30�scrank-armWingatetestmaynot� adequatelysimulatethemetabolisminvolvedduringanofficialwrestlingmatch,�butitmaystillbeareasonable� indicatorofwrestlingperformance.