Studies evaluating the physical fitness levels of elite wrestlers during junior high school are limited. This study aimed to examine the body composition and physical fitness profiles of elite Japanese female wrestlers aged <12 years until >20 years. There were 114 elite female wrestlers enrolled. Measurements were conducted in the following age categories: <12 years (U-12), <15 years (U-15), <17 years (U-17: cadet), <20 years (U-20: junior), and >20 years (senior). Body composition variables consisted of body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, fat free mass, and fat free mass index (FFMI). Fitness measurements included grip strength, back strength, sit-up, rope-climbing, and endurance running tests. The wrestlers in this study demonstrated comparable or greater FFMI values (e.g., FFMI: 17.9 ± 0.4 kg/m2 for light and 19.8 ± 0.9 kg/m2 for heavy weight categories in U-20), when compared with young female wrestlers in previous studies, whereas stature, body mass, and BMI of the wrestlers in our study were unremarkable. Regarding the fitness assessment, a remarkable increase in back strength was observed after late puberty. An outstanding enhancement of muscle strength after late puberty, which is unlikely to occur in ordinary women, would be an important requirement to become the world’s top female wrestler.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between life skills and post-graduation employment for top college student athletes. In March 2011, 24 Japanese top level male wrestlers (mean age=22.0±0.2) who had graduated from university in March 2011 answered to the Appraisal Scale of Required Life Skills for College Student Athletes (Shimamoto et al., 2013). This scale has following 10 subscales: stress management, setting goals, thinking carefully, appreciating others, communicating, maintaining etiquette and manners, always making one's best eŠort, taking responsibility for one's own behavior, being humble, and maintaining physical health and well-being. The relationships between life skills acquisition level assessed in March 2011 and employment situations (employed or unemployed) by March 2012 were examined with nine members who had not obtained employment by the time of graduation from university. The analysis results showed that the employment group (n=4) who had acquired employment within one year of graduation indicated a higher acquisition level compared to the unemployed group (n=5) with regard to setting goals (p<.05). Therefore, it was suggested that there is the positive relationship between setting goals and post-graduation employment for top college student wrestlers.
Regarding sports as an industry, it is indispensable that top athletes become role models and icons. However, a great deal of change has been occurring in the career environment after graduation for the athletes of Japan. They have anxieties about their career possibilities and this is a major problem for developing the sports industry. This study investigated male students who belonged to university wrestling clubs. A survey about employment rates was conducted at five universities. The results showed a lower average rate of employment that of the over all rate, but there were big differences among the universities. Therefore, on the assumption that employment situation is affected by instruction and management in the athletic clubs, it is necessary to make proposals and take positive action to solve these problems.
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