|
Safe and
Healthy Weight Control for High School Wrestlers
By John R. Passarini.Ed.D.
For 42 years I
have enjoyed and promoted the magnificent sport of wrestling. I
have been a competitor, a coach, and a parent of two wrestlers.
Winning the 165 lb. New England Interscholastic Wrestling
Championship in 1966 was a “Great Life Experience.” My wrestling
experience has had an enormous positive impact on my life. In 1970,
after wrestling for 4 years at the University of Connecticut, I
began teaching and coaching for the Waltham Massachusetts Public
Schools where I initiated the Waltham HS Wrestling Program and
coached for 13 years. I am a proud member of the Massachusetts
Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
Minimum weight determination in wrestling
promotes a healthy approach to weight loss and maintenance as well
as fair competition. In 1978 I began
measuring high school wrestlers for body fat determination by using
a formal and certified scientific method that has proven accurate
and helpful for thousands of athletes and their families. In 1988
my Master’s Thesis examined a variety of methods for helping high
school wrestlers achieve their safe and optimum competitive weight.
My approach and attitude toward weight control for wrestlers has
always been positive. I believe that “Making Weight” is an integral
part of the sport, and when managed properly can enhance an
athlete’s performance significantly. When managed poorly “Making
Weight” can be dangerous. My program is supported by the extensive
research from The Wisconsin wrestling Minimum Weight Project.
Optimum wrestling
weight is defined as “maximum muscle, minimum body fat, and adequate
hydration.” The purpose of formal testing is to determine
the lowest weight a wrestler can achieve and still have a safe level
of body fat. Such determinations are done by measuring body fat
percentage and weight and using several equations. The task is not
especially complex, but it does require background knowledge and the
ability to measure body fat consistently and accurately. Over the
past 27 years I have measured thousands of high school wrestlers.
Guidelines:
The following guidelines are supported by
the Wisconsin Wrestling Minimum Weight Project. The theoretical
minimum body fat is 5%, but this figure has not been scientifically
proved. A minimum of 7% body fat (with a 3% standard error
allowance) is generally considered safe for high school wrestlers. A
body fat range of 5% to 7% may be safe for adolescent boys, who have
completed puberty and are sexually mature. Boys usually below the
age of 16 who have not completed puberty may be safer in the 7% to
8% range, while prepubescent boys may require a minimum range of 8%
to 10%.
For all wrestlers, it should be noted that
the minimum safe body fat content may not be the optimum
value for health or performance. My program allow a safe minimum
weight determination with body fat equations that have been
established in a multicenter study for male adolescent wrestlers
(2).
Procedure:
·
Wrestlers are weighted to determine current body
weight.
·
Skin fold measurements are taken at three sites
(Sub-scapula, triceps, and abdominal).
·
All measurements are applied to a series of formulas
(designed specifically for high school wrestlers) to calculate body
density, percent body fat, fat free weight, and minimum wrestling
weight.
·
Team reports are generated in a spread sheet format.
·
Results of the calculations are generated into
individual personalized weight control reports.
·
Presentations to parents and athletes regarding the
results of the measurements and “Effective Strength, Conditioning,
and Weight Control for High School Wrestlers” are available upon
request.
The minimum weight will, of course,
determine the athlete's lowest safe weight class. For minors, the
weight class should be approved by a parent, who should have the
option to agree or to move the athlete to a heavier (but not
lighter) class.
If a coach feels for some reason that the
athlete should be certified at a heavier weight, it may be
appropriate to follow the coach's wishes. On the other hand, a
wrestler who is naturally thin and measures below 5% or 7%
body fat should be certified at the current weight and not required
to increase his body fat to 5% or 7%. For further information on
fees and services please contact me by clicking onto my
mailto:jpass33@earthlink.net
References
1. Tipton CM: Making and Maintaining Weight
for Interscholastic Wrestling. Gaterade Sports Sci Exchange
1990; 2(22):1-4.
2. Thorland WG, Tipton CM, Lohman TG, et
al, Midwest Wrestling Study predictions at Minimum Weight for High
School Wrestling. Med Sci Sports Exchange 1991: 23(9): 1102
– 1110.
3. Harms RL; Wisconsin Wrestling Minimum
Weight Project, Wisc Med J 1992; 91(4) 173 – 175.
4. Heyward VH, Stolarezyk LM; Applied
Body Composition Assessment: Champaign IL, Human Kinetics, 1996.
|
Dr.
John R. Passarini
