The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a simulated one-day Greco-Roman wrestling tournament on selected performance and inflammatory status indices. Twelve competitive wrestlers (22.1 ± 1.3 years) completed five matches according to the official Olympic wrestling tournament regulations following a ~6% weight loss. Performance measurements, muscle damage assessment, and blood sampling were performed before and following each match. Performance and inflammatory markers were not affected by weight loss. Mean wrestling heart rate reached ~85% of maximal and lactate concentration exceeded 17 mM. Fatigue rating demonstrated a progressive rise (P < 0.05) throughout the tournament, peaking in match 4. Performance demonstrated a progressive deterioration (P < 0.05) throughout the tournament, especially in the last two matches (P < 0.05), with upper-body measures exhibiting a greater decline (P < 0.05) and remaining below baseline (P < 0.05) until the end of the tournament. Muscle damage markers increased during the course of the tournament with upper limbs affected more. Creatine kinase activity, CRP levels, IL-6 concentration, and leukocyte counts increased (P < 0.05) progressively throughout the tournament, peaking in the last two matches. Cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine increased (P < 0.05) after each match, but testosterone declined (P < 0.05) progressively, reaching a nadir before the last match. This inflammatory response was accompanied by a marked increase (p < 0.05) in lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and antioxidant status markers indicating the development of oxidative stress. These results suggest that a one-day wrestling tournament may induce significant physiological demands on wrestlers that may adversely affect their performance and inflammatory status especially during the later stages of the tournament.

Mirzaei B, Curby DG, Barbas I, Lotfi N. Anthropometric and physical fitness traits of four-time World GrecoRoman wrestling champion in relation to national norms: A case study. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 406-413, 2011. The purpose of the present investigation was to describe the anthropometric and physical fitness traits of a four-time World senior Greco-Roman wrestling champion (age: 24 years, height: 167 cm, weight: 61 kg) in relation to national norms. The anthropometric traits included body weight, height, sitting height, arm-span, and the physical fitness traits included flexibility (sit-and-reach, trunk-and-neck extension and shoulder-and-wrist elevation tests), maximal oxygen uptake (Gas analysis method), muscular endurance (pull-ups and bent-knee sit-ups), muscular strength (bench press, squat), agility (4×9 m shuttle run), speed (40-yd sprint), bilateral visual reaction time and body composition. The major results are as follows: body fat (%): 8.4; body weight (kg): 61; height (cm): 167; sitting height (cm): 89; arm-span (cm): 174; sit-and-reach (cm): 45; trunk-and-neck extension (cm/cm): 0.64; shoulder-and-wrist elevation (cm/cm): 0.54; maximal oxygen uptake (ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ): 56; pull-ups (reps): 50; bent-knee sit-ups (reps/min): 77; agility (s): 7.6; speed (s): 4.57; bilateral visual reaction time (ms): 229; 1RM weight lifted in the bench press relative to body weight (kg·kg -1 ): 1.39 and 1 RM weight lifted in the squat relative to body weight (kg·kg -1 ): 1.83. The present study indicated that measures of the squat, speed and agility tests of the subject were higher than Iranian national norms for 55 kg senior Greco-Roman style wrestling. The measures of bench press and trunk and shoulder flexibility tests were lower than the national norms. In other tests, no major difference was observed between the results of the subject's tests and national norms.

Background. Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in the world. United World Wrestling have developed "Wrestling+" injury prevention program similar to the FIFA 11+. Objectives. the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of "Wrestling+" warm-up program on Functional Movement Screen scores in cadet wrestlers. Methods. The study population included all cadet wrestlers of Rasht city where 24 freestyle wrestlers were selected by the convenience sampling, and further divided into intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The intervention group performed "Wrestling+" warm-up program for 12 weeks and three times a week while the control group performed routine warm-up during the period of research. Functional Movement Screen tests including Deep Squat (DS), Hurdle Step (HS), In-Line Lunge (ILL), Shoulder Mobility (SM), Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push Up (PU), and Rotary Stability (RS) were used in pre-and post-program. Results. There was a significant increase in the total Functional Movement Screen, DS, HS, ILL, PU scores, while there were no significant differences in SM, ASLR, and RS scores in intervention group. Also, there was a %66.7 decrease in the number of wrestlers at high risk in Functional Movement Screen tests in the intervention group. There was no significant difference in any of the variables in the control group (p≥0.05). Conclusion. The results of this study suggested that the "Wrestling+" warm-up program can improve the fundamental movement patterns and finally it may prevent the potential injuries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of rapid weight loss (RWL) and its effects on elite cadet wrestlers participated in the final stage of Iran national championships. Methods:The wrestlers comprised of 56 adolescents (25 freestyle and 31 Greco-Roman wrestlers). They were divided into three weight groups including light (50.80 ± 5.27 kg), middle (63.74 ± 4.94) and heavy weight (88.26 ± 10.51 kg). Their mean age were 16 ± 0.72; 16.82 ± 0.63 and 16.42 ± 0.69 years) respectively. Prevalence of RWL and its effects were assessed using the standard Oppliger questionnaire. In addition to the extracted data from questionnaire, wrestlers' body weights were measured in the morning of competition day and its difference with the weight at the weigh-in time was calculated as a marker of their normal body weight. This index was applied for the first time in Iran and all the wrestlers participated in this part of investigation. Results:The maximum weight loss (MWL) among light, middle and heavy weight groups were 3.95 ± 1.31, 4.47 ± 1.53 and 5.07 ± 1.32 kg respectively. The results suggested that the rate of weight loss in light, middle and heavy weight groups were 3.09 ± 1.56, 2.64 ± 1.34 and 2.12 ± 1.41 kg respectively. The results indicated that increasing the level of physical activity in order to achieve ideal body weight besides the gradual dieting was the most prevalent method for weight loss, and dizziness, muscle cramp and irritability were respectively the most frequent side effects caused by RWL. Conclusions:Being aware of common ways used for weight loss among wrestlers can help coaches and athletes do the weight loss process more effectively.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in physical fitness and anthropometric measures between Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers. Thirty three Iranian elite wrestlers (Freestyle, age: 24.54±3.43 years, N=13) and (Greco-Roman, age: 23.05±1.95 years, N=20) who were invited to the training camps participated in this study. The anthropometric traits included height, sitting height, arm-span, and the physical fitness traits included flexibility (sit-and-reach test), muscular endurance (pull-ups and bent-knee sit-ups), agility (4×9 m shuttle run), speed (40-yd sprint), and bilateral visual reaction time. Statistical comparison of the freestyle and GrecoRoman wrestlers groups was carried out using independent samples t test (P ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that in speed, reaction time, flexibility and pull-ups tests, Greco-Roman wrestlers were better than freestyle wrestlers, and in agility and bent-knee sit-ups tests the freestyle wrestlers were better than Greco-Roman wrestlers. However, these differences were not statistically significant. INTRODUCTIONGreco-Roman (GR) is an international discipline and an Olympic sport. In this style, it is forbidden to hold the opponent below the waist, to make trips, and to actively use the legs in the execution of any action. Recent rule changes in Greco-Roman increase opportunities for and place greater emphasis on explosive and high amplitude throws. Pinning ones opponent to the mat is one way of winning. Freestyle wrestling (FS) is an international discipline and Olympic sport, for both men and women. This style allows the use of the wrestler's, or his opponent's legs in offensive and defensive positions. Freestyle wrestling has its greatest origins in catch-as-catch-can wrestling and the prime victory condition in these styles involves the wrestler winning by throw and pinning his opponent on the mat (4).