2018

Annual Compilation of Wrestling

Research

Photos courtesy of Robbert Wijtman

CSC Sports Photography and Larry
Slater

David Curby, EdD davcurb@gmail.com

The Annual Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 is compilation of published wrestling-
related research published during 2018 and is provided by the International Network of Wrestling
Researchers (INWR). The INWR is the largest scientific support group for a sport in the world! Our group has
grown to over 500 academics, scientists, doctors and wrestling professionals, from 80 countries who are
involved with the sport of wrestling. (www.inwr-wrestling.com) Our Mission Statement is:

The International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR) seeks to facilitate the development
of wrestling around the world by drawing all wrestling sport science professionals together, in a
manner that through our international and intercultural cooperation we are empowered to
support the development of wrestling with our research and educational programs.

We have organized scientific meetings at the senior world wrestling championships and we were instrumental
in working with United World Wrestling (UWW) in establishing the Scientific Commission. The INWR sponsors
the Rayko Petrov Award memorializing the great Bulgarian wrestler, coach and prolific scholar. Each year the
INWR names the person to be honored and that person delivers the memorial lecture at the INWR Annual
Meeting. They are presented with the spectacular bronze trophy by Christo Christov commissioned by the
Bulgarian Wrestling Federation.

The Young Researcher Award is also presented to a researcher less than thirty years of age.
We publish the International Journal of Wrestling Science which is the only journal dedicated to the study of
the world’s oldest sport. The International Journal of Wrestling Science is a peer reviewed journal for
professionals working in wrestling and wrestling sport science. Issues are published twice a year.

You are invited to register with the International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR). by sending:
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 2018 Wrestling Research Bibliography

Alves, R. C., Alves Bueno, J. C., Borges, T. O., Zourdos, M. C., de Souza Junior, T. P., & Aoki, M. S. (2018).
Physiological Function Is Not Fully Regained Within 24 Hours of Rapid Weight Loss in Mixed Martial Artists.
Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 21(5), 73-83.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) on body mass (BM), strength, and
hydration status, and its effects on fight performance in mixed martial artists (MMA). Athletes had BM, handgrip
strength, and hydration status assessed at baseline (the official match weigh-in) and at match time 24 hrs later.
There were statistically significant changes and very large and large effect sizes (ES) demonstrating decreased
BM and handgrip strength, and increased urine density from baseline to match time, indicating that athletes could
not fully restore physiological function within the 24 hrs between the official weigh-in and match time. However, at
match time only 2 subjects were well-hydrated, while 5 subjects had minimal dehydration, and 5 subjects were
significantly dehydrated. Therefore, the findings indicate that the negative effects of RWL on physiological
function are not fully regained in the 24-hr period between the official weigh in and the start of a match in MMA
athletes.

Amorim Zandoná, B., de Macedo, A. C. G., de Oliveira, C. d. S., de Carvalho Perin, S., Alves, R. C., De Camargo
Smolarek, A., . . . Navarro, A. C. (2018). Consequences of body weight rapid reduction in athletes of combat
sports / CONSEQUÊNCIAS DA RÁPIDA REDUÇÃO DE PESO CORPORAL EM ATLETAS DE ESPORTES DE
COMBATE E A IMPORTÂNCIA DA NUTRIÇÃO: UMA REVISÃO. / and the importance of nutrition: a review.
Revista Brasileira de Nutrição e Esportiva, 12(70), 143-159.

Arslan, F., Ziyagil, M. A., & Bastik, C. (2018). Examination of Moral Decision-Making Attitudes of Elite Male Basketball
Players and Wrestlers According to Variables of Sport Experience and Mother, Father Education. Universal
Journal of Educational Research, 6(3), 378-385.
The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which sport moral decision-making attitudes were
applied by the athletes, and the factors that caused it. The research was based on the causal comparative
research model. The research group consisted of a total of 475 athletes, of which 195 were basketball athletes
randomly selected from seven geographical regions and 280 were wrestling athletes. Lee, Whitehead, and
Ntoumanis used data collection tools to measure the moral decision-making attitudes of athletes (Attitude Moral
Decision Making in Youth Sport Questionnaire--AMDYSQ). Gürpinar has adapted the "Moral Decision-Making
Attitudes Scale in Infrastructure Sports" to Turkish culture. Mann Whitney-U test was used in binary comparisons
because data were not normally distributed. As a result of the research, significant differences were found
according to subscales of moral decision-making attitudes in infrastructure sports, such as wrestling and
basketball, according to the subscale of adopting competition affinity, cheating, and winning fairness. In individual
and team sports, it can be said that the athletic experiences are firstly influenced by the educational level of the
parents after the athletes gain moral behaviors. The results of the research were supported by the literature. [This
study was presented in the ERPA International Congress on Education, p.87, held in June, 02-04, 2016, Sarajevo
in Bosnia and Herzegovina.]

Bagwell, M. S., Wilk, K. E., Colberg, R. E., & Dugas, J. R. (2018). The use of serial platelet rich plasma injections with
early rehabilitation to expedite grade iii medial collateral ligament injury in a professional athlete: a case report.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 13(3), 520-525.
Background: Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are one of the most commonly treated knee pathologies in
sports medicine. The MCL serves as the primary restraint to valgus force. The large majority of these injuries do
not require surgical intervention. Case Subject Description: A 30-year-old professional wrestling athlete presented
to the clinic with acute complaints of right medial knee pain resulting from a traumatic valgus force. Physical exam
revealed Grade 3 MCL injury. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed clinical diagnosis of a Grade 3 proximal
MCL tear. This athlete had sustained a prior grade 3 ACL injury with Grade 3 distal MCL injury which required
surgery to reconstruct the ACL and repair the MCL 13 months prior, in November of 2015. Outcomes: The subject
was successfully treated with a series of three sequential Leukocyte Rich Platelet Rich Plasma (LR-PRP)
Injections spaced evenly one week apart in addition to an early physical therapy regimen. The total treatment time
was cut down from an expected 35-49 days to 31 days. Discussion: When paired with the appropriate
rehabilitation treatment progression, the use of LR-PRP injections in the treatment of an isolated MCL tear was
beneficial for this subject. Conclusion: The results of this case report indicate that the use of LR-PRP and early

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 1

 rehabilitation shows promise in treating an acute grade 3 MCL injury. Future research utilizing randomized
controlled trials are needed.

Barley, O. R., Chapman, D. W., & Abbiss, C. R. (2018). Weight Loss Strategies in Combat Sports and Concerning Habits
in Mixed Martial Arts. International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 13(7), 933-939.
Context: Combat sports are typically divided into weight classes, and body-mass manipulation to reach a weight
class is commonplace. Previous research suggests that weight loss practices in mixed martial arts (MMA) may be
more extreme than in other combat sports. Purpose: To investigate the magnitude of weight loss and the
prevalence of weight loss strategies in different combat sports. Methods: Competitors (N = 637) from Brazilian jiu-
jitsu, boxing, judo, MMA, Muay Thai/kickboxing, taekwondo, and wrestling completed an online questionnaire
seeking information regarding their weight loss practices. Results: Body-mass manipulation was commonly
undertaken by all combat-sport athletes, with a particularly high incidence of gradual dieting, increased exercise,
and fluid restriction. Skipping meals was higher in taekwondo and wrestling (84%) compared with the other
combat sports (∼58%), whereas training in heated rooms and forced oral fluid loss (spitting) was higher in
wrestling (83% and 47%, respectively) compared with other combat sports (∼45% and ∼19%, respectively). MMA
athletes reported the highest usage of sauna (76%) and water loading (67%) while also reporting the second-
highest use of training in rubber/plastic suits (63%). Conclusions: Body-mass manipulation was present in all
combat sports, with the prevalence and magnitude of acute weight loss greater in MMA. The incidence of and
practices reported will help support staff be fully aware of the variety of methods these athletes and coaches may
use to achieve weight loss. Additionally, the results could aid regulatory bodies in the further development of
policies on weight cutting.

Bavykin, E. A., Сидоренко, С. А., Бавыкин, Е. А., & Зиновьев, Н. А. (2018). Academic wrestlers’ age-specific technical
and tactical progress control/ОСОБЕННОСТИ ТЕХНИКО-ТАКТИЧЕСКОГО МАСТЕРСТВА БОРЦОВ-
СТУДЕНТОВ НА РАЗНЫХ ВОЗРАСТНЫХ ЭТАПАХ. Teoria i praktika fiziceskoj kul'tury (4), 60-62.
The study makes a comparative analysis of the competitive performance profiles of the junior wrestlers who
competed in the 2017 World Wrestling Championship. The study data and analysis made it possible to profile the
individual competitive performances of the junior wrestlers versus their age-specific competitive technical and
tactical progress data. The wrestlers’ competitive technical and tactical actions (TTA) were rated using the
following rating criteria: scoring TTA; points scored; points lost; scoring attacking TTA; scoring counterattacking
TTA; scoring opponent’s attacks; countered attacks; and the scoring attacks intervals (SAI). The study found the
beginner-junior wrestlers’ bouts being faster versus the mature-junior bouts, with higher percentages of the fall
wins and clear-advantage wins that are attributable to more deficiencies in the physical and tactical fitness levels
of the athletes. As far as the wrestlers’ activity is concerned, the beginner juniors were highly active that may be
interpreted as their proneness to risky and reckless fight control styles. The study findings may be applied as a
sound basis for the academic wrestlers’ training system designs and plans.

Bemfato Dezan, D., Bigliassi, M., Afonso Montes, F., & Cardoso Dezan, G. C. (2018). Warm-up activity does not produce
potentiation post-activation in wrestling athletes / ATIVIDADE CONDICIONANTE NÃO GERA POTENCIAÇÃO
PÓS-ATIVAÇÃO EM ATLETAS DE LUTA OLÍMPICA. . Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício,
12(76), 582-589.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a warm-up activity on the potentiation post-
activation (PPA) in wrestling athletes. 8 wrestling athletes (22.1 ± 3.4 yrs; 70.5 ± 10.2 kg; 170.1 ± 0.1 cm)
performed two experimental conditions (CPPA and CC). Three sets of six counter movement jumps represented
the CPPA and such condition has been compared to CC, where no previous activity has happened. The
experimental conditions have been separated by a minimum of 48 and a maximum of 168 hours of difference and
they have been also randomized. Three attempts were done and the best score was used. The jump performance
was assessed using the Ergojump® equipment and the data were analyzed through the Kinematic Measurement
System® software. The ''t'' Student test has been applied for non-paired comparisons and the significance was
set at 5%. The outcomes of the present study demonstrated no PPA effect (SJ - CC: 0.383 ± 0.063 m vs CPPA:
0.431 ± 0.069 m; p = 0.79), (CMJ - CC: 0.41 ± 0.035 m vs CPPA: 0.44 ± 0.031 m; p = 0.96). In conclusion, the
warm-up activity proposed by this study was not capable to induce PPA in wrestling athletes.

Berk, E., & Demirel, A. (2018). Assessment of Pulse Wave Velocity as Arterial Stiffness Parameter in Adolescent Elite
Wrestlers. / Adolesan Elit Güreşçilerde Arteriyel Sertlik Parametresi Olarak Nabız Dalga Hızının
Değerlendirilmesi. Spor hekimligi dergisi/Turkish journal of sports medicine, 53(4), 167-173.
Objective: To compare the arterial stiffness parameter in adolescent elite wrestlers who perform regular heavy
exercise with the sedentary control group in the same age range. Materials and Methods: A group of 23 male
wrestlers and a control group of 23 nonathlete males of the same age were compared. The age, height, body
weight, resting pulse and blood pressure measurements of the subjects were performed. Pulse wave velocity
(PWV) was measured using a photoplethysmography device. Results: There was no significant difference for age
in the athlete (16.0 ± 1.1 yrs) and control groups (15.9 ± 0.9 yrs) (p>0.05). Body mass index (BMI) levels of the

2 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 control group (19.5 ± 2.4 kg/m2) were significantly lower than those of the athlete group (23.6 ± 3.8 kg/m2)
(p<0.001). Resting heart rate and arterial blood pressure levels (67.0 ± 8.0 beats/min and 100 ± 6 / 70 ± 5 mmHg,
respectively) of the athletes was significantly lower (p<0.001) than those of the control group (78 ± 7 beats/min
and 111 ± 8 / 81 ± 3 mmHg, respectively). The PWV scores of the control group (4.66 ± 0.16 m/s) were
significantly higher than those of the athlete group (4.41 ± 0.18 m/s), (p<0.001). Conclusion: Arterial stiffness is an
independent assessment of cardiovascular disease and mortality for athletes. This study, which aims to evaluate
the effects of exercise on arterial stiffness with PWV measurement in adolescent wrestlers, is believed to help
determining how arterial function responds to intense exercise practice.

Biveghe Assoumou, C., & Wane, C. T. (2018). Yékini, le roi des arènes ou la lutte sénégalaise entre pratique sportive et
tradition [Yékini, the king of the arena or the Senegalese fight between sports practice and tradition]. Society &
Leisure / Loisir & Société, 41(2), 214-232.
One cannot tackle the issue of sports in Senegal without mentioning the ‘Lamb,’, a traditional form of wrestling. A
true cultural and social phenomenon, the Lamb stands out as Senegal’s most popular sport but also as a specific
physical practice that is specific to that country. The comic book Yékini, le roi des Arènes (‘Yékini, King of the
Arenas’) by Lugrin and Xavier, published in 2014, tells the story of Yékini, Tyson, and Balla Gaye II, three
outstanding Senegalese wrestlers who vie for the title of king of Dakar’s arenas. This article deals with
Senegalese wrestling, both as a competitive, performance-driven sports practice, and as an aestheticized
physical practice which resonates with Senegal’s cultural tradition, displaying a network of symbolic, social, and
mystical meaning. This network is embodied by the comic’s heroes, as Yékini, Tyson, and others engage, in
competing ways, with the definition of what tradition is, has been, or should be like.

Boltikov, V. V., Solomakhin, O.B., Konovalov, I.E. (2018). Technical and tactical skills building in modern greco-roman
wrestling supported by motivation-and-compulsion system/ПО ВЫШЕНИЕ ТЕХНИКО -ТАКТИЧЕСКО Й ПОДГО
ТОВЛЕННО СТИ БОРЦО В ГРЕКО -РИМСКОГО СТИЛЯ ПОСРЕДСТВОМ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ СИСТЕМЫ
МОТИВАЦИОННО -ПРИНУДИТЕЛЬНОГО СТИМУЛИРОВАНИЯ. Teoria i praktika fiziceskoj kul'tury (5), 102-
104.
The study considers the high priority problem of the technical and tactical skills building in modern Greco-Roman
wrestling. The study was performed at ‘Vityaz’ CYSS in Naberezhnye Chelny. Subject to the study were junior
Greco- Roman wrestlers split up into Experimental and Reference Groups (EG, RG) of 26 people each. The
Reference Groups was trained as required by the standard CYSS program; and the Experimental Groups were
trained as required by the A.S. Kuznetsov’s frame technical skills building program supported by a motivation
and- compulsion system. The motivation-and-compulsion system of our own design implies integration of the
sport qualification and technical requirements, with the sport and technical qualifications being combined. Benefits
of the motivation-and-compulsion system were tested for 4 years by the following test criteria: technical skills
versatility; activity rate; action success (quantitative) rate; action efficiency (qualitative) rate; and the scoring rate.
It should be noted that the Experimental and Reference Groups were virtually the same in the compositions,
physical and technical fitness rates prior to the experiment. After the first, second and third years of the model
piloting experiment, the groups showed progress in every test rate, with the statistically meaningful intergroup
differences. In the fourth year of the experiment, the groups still showed progress in every test rate, with the
Experimental Group demonstrating meaningful advantages in the tests. Therefore, the motivation-and-compulsion
system was found beneficial for the Greco-Roman wrestlers’ education and training process as verified by the EG
meaningful progress in the competitive technical skills versatility, technical and tactical fitness rates and the
competitive success rates.

Bozic, P. R., & Bacvarevic, B. B. (2018). Force-Velocity Profiles of Elite Athletes Tested on a Cycle Ergometer.
Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 7(1), 59-66.
The present study explored the sensitivity of the force-velocity (F-V) modelling approach obtained from maximal
sprints on a leg cycle ergometer to detect selective changes of the mechanical capacities of the lower body
muscles associated with high-level training. Specifically, we assumed that the F-V relationship parameters, such
as maximum force (F0), velocity (V0), power (PM) and slope, would differ among individuals of different high-level
training backgrounds. In total, 111 elite athletes divided into four groups (Combat sports, Athletic sprints, Team
sports and Physically active) performed maximal sprints on a leg cycle ergometer loaded with 7%, 9%, and 11%
of body weight. The findings obtained suggest an exceptionably strong and linear F-V relationship in most of the
participants (r > 0.95), while higher PM have been found in all groups of athletes compared to the Physically
active group (p < 0.05). In addition, sport-specific F-V profiles have been observed in athletes that belong to
distinctively different sports (i.e. higher F0 and force-oriented slope for strength-trained Combat sports and higher
V0 for speed-trained Athletic sprints). To our knowledge, this is one of the rare studies that evaluate the F-V
profiles with such a large sample of elite athletes obtained from commonly used task such as maximal sprints on
a leg cycle ergometer. The results obtained support a high sensitivity of the F-V modelling approach to distinguish
among elite athletes with different training histories.

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 3

Braun, T. I. M., & Kahanov, L. (2018). Community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection Rates
and Management among Student-Athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50(9), 1802-1809.
Purpose: Although community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections have
reduced among inpatient populations, the incidence in athletics continues to range greatly dependent on the
sport. Over the 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017 school years, we assessed the annual CA-MRSA incidence, sport
risk, referral practices, and management protocols or interventions among high school and intercollegiate
athletics. Methods: This study targeted high school and intercollegiate athletic programs across the United States.
For the 2015 to 2016 study, 269 athletic trainers completed a one-time questionnaire. In the 2016 to 2017 study,
217 athletic trainers reported data bimonthly during the academic year. Each questionnaire targeted demographic
information, physician-confirmed CA-MRSA infection occurrence, and management of CA-MRSA infections and
bacterial skin lesions. Results: The CA-MRSA infection incidence was 26.8 per 10,000 athletes (95% confidence
interval [CI], 24–30) in 2015–2016 and 20.3 per 10,000 athletes (95% CI, 18–23) in 2016–2017. The CA-MRSA
infection incidence was high in wrestling and football compared to the general student-athlete population. During
the 2015 to 2016 study, the wrestling incidence rate was 248.3 per 10,000 (95% CI, 204–302); the football
incidence rate was 71.0 per 10,000 (95% CI, 60–85). In the 2016 to 2017 study, the wrestling incidence rate was
100.0 per 10,000 (95% CI, 66–151); the football incidence rate was 81.8 per 10,000 (95% CI, 68–99). At least
23% of respondents denoted at least one physician-confirmed CA-MRSA infection within their populations (2015–
2016, 39%, n = 105; 2016–2017, 23.5%, n = 51). In the 2015 to 2016 survey, respondents indicated that athlete
education and environmental decontamination were the most used management steps (51.8%, n = 582).
Conclusions: Despite increased awareness of CA-MRSA, more educational efforts focusing on best practices and
education are needed, especially with athletes and the medical community involved in their care.

Brito, C. J., Mozer, R. L., Montes Assis de Bem, E., Berbert de Carvalho, P. H., Carrenho Queiroz, A. C., dal Bello, F., . . .
Miarka, B. (2018). Exploratory study on illegal pharmacologic agents in mixed martial arts performance. / Estudo
exploratório sobre agentes farmacológicos ilegais no desempenho em artes marciais mistas. Brazilian Journal of
Kineanthropometry & Human Performance, 20(3), 269-279.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport that requires maximum physical effort during competitions. In this
context, some athletes can use illicit substances in order to improve their performance. By means of paired
analysis, the present study compared the motor actions of athletes who had failed an anti-doping test versus their
performance in combat against a winner or loser without doping presence. For this, 267 rounds (male and female)
were analyzed in professional matches. The rounds were paired by athletes in the conditions: doping, winning
and losing. Motor actions were analyzed through a specific and previously-validated protocol. Of the substances
detected, anabolic androgenic steroids represented 55% (p≤0.001). Doped athletes had lower pause time
(83.4±68.3 vs. 131.7±95.2, p≤0.001) and longer time at high-intensity (85.2±86.6 vs. 51.2±73.3, p=0.002)
compared to the losing condition. Regarding the technical-tactical analysis in standing combat, winning presented
a higher mean compared to doping in all variables except for Knockdowns (p=0.08), single body strikes landed
(p=0.15), single leg strikes landed (p=0.25) and single strike attempts (p=0.4). In conclusion, athletes who tested
positive presented higher performance in the physical variables (effort and pause time) in comparison to the
losing condition; however, doping did not reflect in better technical-tactical performance.

Bulgay, C., & Cetin, E. (2018). Examination of Physical, Motor and Physiological Characteristics of Athletes and Wrestlers
Between the Ages of 12 and 14 in Terms of Branching. International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 7(1),
1-10. doi:10.22034/ijaep.v7i1.152
The purpose of the study is to compare the physical, motor and physiological characteristics of students between
the ages of 12 and 14 who regularly perform athletics and wrestling sports with non-sports students, and explore
their effect on the sports students' level of branching. The research group was selected among student at
Kecioren Mecidiye Secondary School and Alaeddin Ozdenoren Imam Hatip Secondary School in Ankara. A total
of 47 male students formed the research group 15 students between the ages of 12 and 14 who are engaged in
regular athletics training, 17 students who regularly perform wrestling and 15 volunteers in the same age group
who do not sports. Measurements included age, height, body weight, Agility (T-test), hand grip strength, standing
jump, vertical jump, body fat percentage, flamingo balance, flexibility, 1 min shuttle, BMI, 30 m speed run, 1000 m
run-walk tests. The analysis of the data was evaluated according to the results of the Levene test for
homogeneity. If the result was homogeneous, ANOVA method was used. Otherwise Kruskal Wallis comparison
test was performed. In variables whose averages differed as result of multiple comparisons, the TUKEY test was
used to find which groups these differences stemmed from. The results of agility, right and left hand grip strength,
flexibility, 1 min shuttle, Body Mass Index (BMI), 30 m speed, 1000 m run-walk tests were statistically significant.
However, the results for height, weight, age, long jump, flamingo balance, body fat percentage, vertical jump tests
were not statistically significant. When we look at the results, it is found that the best results for 1000 m run-walk,
30 m speed run, agility (T-test), height, long jump, vertical jump were recorded in the athletics group. It has been
observed that the wrestler group has better results in body weight, body fat percentage, grasp strength, flamingo
balance, 1 minute shuttle and flexibility parameters. The values of the control group were found to be lower than
those who were engaged in athletics and wrestling as they did not exercise regularly. When the differences

4 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 between the groups are evaluated, it can be said that there is a tendency towards branching in a branch in
students between the ages of 12 and 14.

Burke, L. M., Close, G. L., Lundy, B., Mooses, M., Morton, J. P., & Tenforde, A. S. (2018). Relative Energy Deficiency in
Sport in Male Athletes: A Commentary on Its Presentation Among Selected Groups of Male Athletes. International
Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 28(4), 364-374.
Low energy availability (LEA) is a key element of the Female Athlete Triad. Causes of LEA include failure to
match high exercise energy expenditure (unintentional) or pathological behaviors of disordered eating
(compulsive) and overzealous weight control programs (misguided but intentional). Recognition of such scenarios
in male athletes contributed to the pronouncement of the more inclusive Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
(RED-S) syndrome. This commentary describes the insights and experience of the current group of authors
around the apparently heightened risk of LEA in some populations of male athletes: road cyclists, rowers
(lightweight and open weight), athletes in combat sports, distance runners, and jockeys. The frequency, duration,
and magnitude of the LEA state appear to vary between populations. Common risk factors include cyclical
management of challenging body mass and composition targets (including “making weight”) and the high energy
cost of some training programs or events that is not easily matched by energy intake. However, additional factors
such as food insecurity and lack of finances may also contribute to impaired nutrition in some populations.
Collectively, these insights substantiate the concept of RED-S in male athletes and suggest that a specific
understanding of a sport, subpopulation, or culture may identify a complex series of factors that can contribute to
LEA and the type and severity of its outcomes. This commentary provides a perspective on the range of risk
factors that should be addressed in future surveys of RED-S in athletic populations and targeted for specific
investigation and modification.

Cabistany, L., Coswig, V. S., Orcy, R. B., & Del Vecchio, F. B. (2018). Testosterone-mediated activation of androgenic
signaling sustains in vitro the transformed and radioresistant phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Sport
Sciences for Health, 14(2), 433-438.
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effects of Taekwondo match on blood and salivary lactate
concentration, and their correlations, pre- and post-Taekwondo matches. Methods: For that eleven Taekwondo
fighters (18 ± 3.6 years old, 59.18 ± 14.2 kg, 1.61 ± 0.1 cm, and 70.81 ± 97.4 months of practice) were enrolled. An
experimental study with pre- and post-match measures was conduct were blood and salivary lactate measured,
as well as vertical height and rating of perceived exertion. For data analysis Student’s t test, Pearson’s coefficient
and linear regressions were applied using SPSS software version 22.0 and statistical significance was set in 5%.
Results: Blood and salivary lactate measures changed significantly from PRE to POST (p = 0.001 and p = 0.04,
respectively) with large and moderate effects, respectively. Correlations between lactate measures did not show
significance (r = 0.35; p = 0.39). Otherwise, POST values showed moderate significant correlations (r = 0.61;
p = 0.04). Additionally, linear regressions indicated that POST blood lactate concentrations can explain only
37.8% of POST salivary lactate concentrations (p = 0.04). Conclusion: To conclude, blood and salivary lactate
responses do not present similar responses for TKD athletes after combat simulation.

Calvo Rico, B., Fernandes Monteiro, L., Aznar Laín, S., & García, J. M. (2018). Comparison of body composition
variations between hydrated and dehydrated judokas and wrestler / Comparación de las variaciones de la
composición corporal entre judokas y luchadores hidratados Vs deshidratados. . Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de
Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación (33), 10-13.
The aim of this study was to determine how body composition parameters are modified in judo and wrestling.
Both disciplines are organized by weight categories, this regularly leading to eating disorders and continuous
dehydration in order to reach the needed competition weight. Also, this paper aims to understand whether there
exist differences in this practice by gender and by sports discipline. A Biospace Inbody 230 system (CA, USA)
was employed on a sample of 64 national elite judo and wrestling athletes from Spain and Portugal. Statistical
analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and student t tests, which analyze mean differences. The
findings and conclusions of the study showed a higher number of dehydrated athletes than those in optimal
values of hydration during the pre-competitive period. This condition pushes athletes' body to constant efforts and
changes, possibly determining a detrimental effect on their short- and long-term performance, both in training and
competitions.

Campideli, T. S., Ferreira, R. M., Coelho, E. F., Werneck, F. Z., Penna, E. M., & Panza, P. S. (2018). Relative age effect
in Olympic combat sports athletes / Efeito da idade relativa em atletas olímpicos de esportes de combate.
Motricidade, 14(1S), 279-286.
Relative age effect (RAE) refers to the consequences of the chronological age difference between individuals who
are grouped in the same age category. The objective was to investigate the presence of RAE in Olympic combat
sports athletes. The birth date of 1,163 boxing, judo, wrestling and taekwondo athletes competing at 2012
Olympic Games and 1,148 athletes at 2016 Olympic Games was examined. The RAE was examined for the
distribution of quartiles and births of athletes from each modality, by sex and edition of the Olympic Games,

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 5

 through the Chi-Square test (X²), adopting significance level of 5%. It was verified the existence of the RAE in
female judo, with a higher representation of athletes born in the first semester (X² = 7.503; p = 0.01). On the other
hand, there was an inverse RAE in women's boxing, with a higher representation of athletes born in the second
semester (X² = 3.959; p = 0.05) and in male taekwondo in 2016, in which there was a greater representation of
athletes born in the 3rd quartile (X² = 8.292; p = 0.04). It is concluded that the RAE is not consistently found in
Olympic combat sports athletes, varying according to sex, modality and edition of the Olympic Games, and an
inverse RAE can still be observed.

Can, I., Cihan, H., Ari, E., & Bayrakdaroglu, S. (2018). Comparison of the velocity and power parameters during loaded-
squat jump exercise of national athletes in different branches. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 6(5), 16-
20.
The aim of this investigation is to compare velocity and power variables during loaded-squat jump (SJLoaded)
exercise of national athletes dealing with different sports branches and to identify whether velocity and power
parameters become different or not according to branches. In accordance with this purpose, a total of 36 national
athletes (age: 20.3 ± 1.68 years; height: 173.5 ± 6.46 cm; weight: 72.3 ± 10.29 kg) composed of 12 wrestlers
(age: 19.5 ± 0.90 years; height: 172.3 ± 6.19 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 13.9 kg), 12 arm wrestlers (age: 20.5 ± 2.02
years; height: 174.7 ± 4.76 cm; weight: 72.6 ± 8.31 kg) and 12 kickboxers (age: 20.7 ± 1.81 years; height: 173.5 ±
8.29 cm; weight: 68.9 ± 6.94 kg) dealing with different sports branches have voluntarily participated in this study.
For identifying velocity and power parameters, SJLoaded exercise was executed with an external load that
corresponds to 40% of body weights of the athletes by utilizing an isoinertial velocity transducer (T-Force dynamic
measurement system) and values of mean velocity (MV), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak velocity (PV),
mean power (MP), mean propulsive power (MPP) and peak power (PP) were determined. All data analyzes were
performed in the SPSS 16.0 statistical program. Firstly, in order to analyze data, it was determined that the data
indicated normal distribution by looking at the Shapiro-Wilk coefficient regarding the normality of the distribution of
the data. Therefore, one-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) was utilized to identify statistically
significant differences among athletes competing in different branches with regard to the velocity and power
variables during the SJLoaded exercise. According to analyze results, no statistically significant difference wasn't
seen among branches with regard to MV [f (2.33) = 1.306], MPV [f (2.33) = 2.195], PV [f (2.33) = 2.242], MP [f
(2.33) = 1.225], MPP [f (2.33) = 2.787] and PP [f (2.33) = 2.607] parameters during SJLoaded exercise (p>0.05).
The velocity and power parameters obtained in the SJLoaded exercise don't differ according to the branches.

Caravaca, V., Hernandez-Garcia, R., & Garcia-De-Alcaraz, A. (2018). Bibliometric analysis of the scientific production of
judo as a combat sport. / Análisis bibliométrico de la producción científica sobre judo como deporte de combate.
Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas, 13, 9-12. doi:10.18002/rama.v13i2s.5497
The aim of this paper was to analyze the trends in judo research as a combat sport through a bibliometric analysis
of scientific production indexed in the Web of Science database, starting with a group of 336 articles published
between 2007 and 2017. By applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis
(PRISMA-P) methodology, the study sample was reduced to 88 articles. Different types of variables were
analyzed: a) institutional characteristics; b) sample-related characteristics; and c) research methods and tools.
The results showed that the most productive years were 2014 and 2016, when the average number of authors
was 4.56±1.79 and the average number of citations in the Web of Science was 9.25±11.9. The highest
percentage of publications showed male samples, of high-performance level and under the discipline of training
theory. The most commonly methodology used was the observational study with univariate statistics through
instruments and observation tools. The most studied parameters were physiological and technical-tactical
elements. It seems that judo as a combat sport attracts more scientific interest in its sporting sed to achieve a
more specific analysis of the sport of judo, without con and competitive side. Some suggestions are apropos
textualizing it as a combat sport.

Cejudo Palomo, A., San Cirilo Soriano, B., Robles Palazon, F. J., & del Pilar Saiz De Baranda, M. (2018). Analysis of the
flexibility profile in young taekwondo athletes / Análisis del perfil de flexibilidad en jóvenes taekwondistas. .
Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas, 13, 30-33.
The main aim of this study was to determine the flexibility profile of the lower extremity in young taekwondo
athletes, as well as identifying athletes with muscle shortness. For this purpose, a total of 17 young taekwondo
athletes were assessed; seven from the Spanish team and ten from the Murcia team. The range of motion of the
main movements of the lower extremity was evaluated by the "ROM SPORT" protocol and a descriptive analysis
of each of the quantitative variables was performed. A Student t-test or a Wilcoxon test was applied depending on
the normality distribution of the data. The ROM values of each movement were classified as "normal" or
"shortness" according to previously determined reference values. The results define the following flexibility profile:
23º for iliopsoas, 28º for piriformis, 37º for gastrocnemius, 42º for soleus, 46º for adductors, 46º for external
rotators, 56º for internal rotators, 77º for monoarticular adductors, 80º for hamstrings, 140º for quadriceps and
145º for gluteus maximus. Individual evaluations identified muscle shortness in pyramidal (11 athletes, 64.7%),

6 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 soleus (13 athletes, 76.4%), external rotators (8 athletes, 47%), monoarticular adductors (14 athletes, 82.3%),
hamstrings (13 athletes, 76.4%), quadriceps (4 athletes, 23.5%) and gluteus maximus (12 athletes, 70.5%). This
flexibility profile can help sports professionals to set quantifiable goals for the training of flexibility in this sport. The
inclusion of stretching exercises or the increase of their doses should be applied for the improvement of the
identified shortness in piriformis, soleus, external hip rotators, monoarticular, hamstring, and gluteus maximus
adductors.

Ceylan, B., Gurses, V. V., Akgul, M. S., Baydil, B., & Franchini, E. (2018). Anthropometric Profile, Wingate Performance
and Special Judo Fitness Levels of Turkish Olympic Judo Athletes. / Profil antropometryczny, test wydolności
(Wingate) i specjalny test sprawdzający poziom umiejętności judo tureckich olimpijczyków. Ido Movement for
Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 18(3), 15-20.
Background. Judo is an Olympic sport where physical fitness is of great importance as well as technique and
tactics. Physical and physiological conditions of the athletes are very important for a better judo performance and
there is still a need for more data related to these determinants. Problem and aim. There is a need for more data
concerning anthropological determinants of judo athletes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate
anthropometric profile, Wingate and Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) performance. Methods. Te following tests
and measurements were conducted in order to investigate anthropometric profile, Wingate and Special Judo
Fitness Test (SJFT) performance of male (n=7) and female (n=10) judo athletes from Turkish Olympic judo team:
anthropometric measurements, Wingate anaerobic test (WanT) and SJFT. An independent Student t test was
used to compare male and female athletes. Pearson product correlation was used to verify the relationship
between variables. Effect sizes were calculated following the recommendations by Rhea (2004). Results. There
were differences between male and female athletes in the following variables; fat-free mass, body fat percentage,
peak and mean power, HR after the set A and in the SJFT index (p<0.05). Large, and very large correlations were
found between anthropometric measurements, SJFT parameters and WanT performance results (p<0.01). Large
correlation was found between fat-free mass and HR values during SJFT sets (p<0.05). Conclusions. It can be
concluded that the higher the fat percentage, the lower is the performance in activities involving body
displacement. In conclusion, sex and weight differences should be taken into consideration while evaluating judo
athletes and because higher fat-free mass means better SJFT performance, the training program should be
organized to decrease or maintain body fat and increase muscle mass.

Chaabene, H., Negra, Y., Bouguezzi, R., Capranica, L., Franchini, E., Prieske, O., . . . Granacher, U. (2018). Tests for the
Assessment of Sport-Specific Performance in Olympic Combat Sports: A Systematic Review with Practical
Recommendations. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 18. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00386
The regular monitoring of physical fitness and sport-specific performance is important in elite sports to increase
the likelihood of success in competition. This study aimed to systematically review and to critically appraise the
methodological quality, validation data, and feasibility of the sport-specific performance assessment in Olympic
combat sports like amateur boxing, fencing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. A systematic search was
conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Google-Scholar, and Science-Direct up to October 2017. Studies
in combat sports were included that reported validation data (e.g., reliability, validity, sensitivity) of sport-specific
tests. Overall, 39 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. The majority of studies (74%) contained sample
sizes <30 subjects. Nearly, 1/3 of the reviewed studies lacked a sufficient description (e.g., anthropometrics, age,
expertise level) of the included participants. Seventy-two percent of studies did not sufficiently report
inclusion/exclusion criteria of their participants. In 62% of the included studies, the description and/or inclusion of
a familiarization session (s) was either incomplete or not existent. Sixty-percent of studies did not report any
details about the stability of testing conditions. Approximately half of the studies examined reliability measures of
the included sport-specific tests (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.43-1.00). Content validity was
addressed in all included studies, criterion validity (only the concurrent aspect of it) in approximately half of the
studies with correlation coefficients ranging from r = -0.41 to 0.90. Construct validity was reported in 31% of the
included studies and predictive validity in only one. Test sensitivity was addressed in 13% of the included studies.
The majority of studies (64%) ignored and/or provided incomplete information on test feasibility and
methodological limitations of the sport-specific test. In 28% of the included studies, insufficient information or a
complete lack of information was provided in the respective field of the test application. Several methodological
gaps exist in studies that used sport-specific performance tests in Olympic combat sports. Additional research
should adopt more rigorous validation procedures in the application and description of sport-specific performance
tests in Olympic combat sports.

Challis, J. H. (2018). Body Size and Movement. Kinesiology Review, 7(1), 88-93.
Humans of different sizes move in very similar ways despite the size difference. The principles of geometric
scaling provide insight into the reasons for the similar movement patterns observed. In human locomotion, body
size influences endurance running performance, with shorter body sizes being an advantage due to better heat
exchange compared with their taller counterparts. Scaling can also show the equivalence of child gait with that of
adults in terms of stride length and walking velocity. In humans, maximum jump height is independent of standing

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 7

 height, a scaling result which has been validated by examining jumps with mass added to the body. Finally,
strength scales in proportion to body mass to the two-thirds power, which explains why shorter people have
greater relative body strength compared with taller individuals. Geometric scaling reveals the underlying principles
of many human movement forms.

Chernozub, A., Korobeynikov, G., Mytskan, B., Korobeinikova, L., & Cynarski, W. J. (2018). Modelling Mixed Martial Arts
Power Training Needs Depending on the Predominance of the Strike or Wrestling Fighting Style. / Opracowanie
treningu siłowego w mieszanych sztukach walki w zależności od stylu walki z przewagą uderzania lub
chwytania/zapasów. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 18(3), 28-36.
Purpose - to develop models for Mixed Martial Arts athletes power training, depending on the predominance of
the strike or the wrestling style in fighting, and also to determine the impact of the proposed training loads on
increasing the functional ability of their bodies. Methods. We examined 30 athletes aged 20-22 who were involved
in Mixed Martial Arts fights over the last 2 years. Half the fighters use the strike style in the course of combat, and
the rest specialise in the wrestling style. To assess the effectiveness of the occupation models we developed, we
used the control testing method of the level of power capabilities development. With the help of the biochemical
control of cortisol concentrations in the blood serum of the fighters, we determined the manifestation of adaptive-
compensatory reactions of the body to various power loads. Results. It was established that the optimal power
loads for fighters using the strike style of fighting was to use a high-intensity regime when working with an alactate
or lactate energy supply system. In turn, the most effective power loads, for the maximum realisation of functional
potential in athletes prioritising the wrestling style during the fight, was the use of low-intensity regimes with a
large amount of work in the glycolytic power supply system. Conclusions. Te analysis of the results obtained
during the experiment demonstrates the need for using models of training sessions developed in the process of
power training of MMA fighters, taking into account the particular fighting style. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Courel-Ibnez, J., Franchini, E., & Escobar-Molina, R. (2018). Is the Special Judo Fitness Test Index discriminative during
formative stages? Age and competitive level differences in U13 and U15 children. / Czy Indeks Indywidualnych
Testów Sprawnościowych Judo jest różnicujący na etapach kształtowania osobowości? Różnice ze względu na
wiek i poziom zaawansowania w kategoriach wiekowych do 13 i do 15 lat. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of
Martial Arts Anthropology, 18(3), 37-41.
Aim. The aim of the present study was to perform SJFT in children to analyse differences between groups of age
and competition level. Methods. Thirty-four male children judo athletes aged under 13 (U13) and under 15 (U15)
years-old were recruited from a local gym (amateurs) and the Spanish National Judo Team (SNT) and classified
in three groups: U13 amateur, U15 amateur and U15 SNT. Children performed the SJFT in similar height and
weight pairs. Age comparisons revealed no difference in SJFT index given the lower number of throws during the
SJFT for U13 children (95% CIhigh = <23 vs. >22 and >23 throws) but the faster heart rate (HR) recovery (95%
CIhigh = < 150 vs. >150 and >147 bpm) compared to the U15 amateur and SNT groups. Results. Competitive level
comparisons between U15 amateur and SNT revealed no difference in SJFT performance (throws, HR and
index). Thus, the SJFT index is not a proper variable to detect differences between groups at these ages.
Conclusions. These findings open the challenge to design appropriate conditioning test for children during
formative years to better measure performance and develop adequate training and teaching plans.

De La Fuente, A. (2018). Height categories as a healthier alternative to weight categories in taekwondo competition. /
Categorías por altura como alternativa más saludable a las categorías de peso para la competición de
taekwondo. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas, 13(1), 53-60.
Weight division is the most common way of categorizing athletes for competition in martial arts and combat
sports. Eating disorders and the use of rapid weight loss methods are common among combat sports athletes,
both at young and adult ages at all competition levels. Meanwhile, height is commonly regarded as determinant in
kicking combat sports. The present study aimed to examine whether height categories can be used as a healthier
alternative to weight categories for official competition. The height and weight of 153 male (n=80) and female
(n=73) competitive taekwondo athletes aged between 10 and 16 were measured. Participants were classified by
age, sex, and official weight category. Athletes were then sorted into ten hypothetical numbered height categories
established in every age and sex group, according to World Health Organization (WHO) percentiles. There was a
strong correlation between height and weight (r=0.843, p<0.01), and between height and weight categorization
(r=0.681, p<0.01), and 68.18% of participants stayed the same, or moved only ±1 category by height from their
original weight category. We conclude that young competitive taekwondo athletes can be classified by stature for
official competitions, as a healthier and more equitable alternative to current weight categories.

de Oliveira Vilar Neto, J., da Silva, C. A., Barroso Lima, A., Rosa de Souza, F. J., Vieira Pinto, D., de Sousa Araujo, J., . .
. de Francesco Daher, E. (2018). Effects of Low-Dose Creatine Monohydrate on Muscle Strength and Endurance.
Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(3), 1-8.
To investigate the effect of low-dose supplementation of creatine monohydrate without the use of the saturation
phase, 36 male university students engaged in resistance training (age 22.5 ± 4.3 years, height 1.76 ± 0.08 m,

8 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 weight 77.0 ± 11.0 kg, and body mass index 24.6 ± 2.5 kg/m²) were randomly divided into three groups: group
placebo (GP), group supplemented with creatine 3 g/day (3G), and group supplemented with 5 g/day creatine
(5G). The subjects were tested for maximum muscle strength (1RM), upper body muscle endurance (MPU), and
abdominal muscle endurance (MSU) before and after 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of creatine supplementation or
placebo and performing standardized resistance training. After 35 days of supplementation and training, all
groups showed a significant improvement in the 1RM test; however, the percentages of strength increase were
significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the groups supplemented with creatine (G3, Δ% 1RM = 20.0 ± 4.0; G5, Δ% 1RM
= 19.9 ± 1.5) than in the placebo group (GP, Δ% 1RM = 10.3 ± 1.9). Upper limb muscle endurance showed a
significant improvement only in 5G, ranging from 39.9 ± 7.9 MPU/min to 50.7 ± 11.0 MPU/min after 35 days of
supplementation. Interestingly, abdominal muscle endurance showed no increase in any of the groups (GP, P >
0.528; G3, P > 0.076; G5, P > 0.148). These results support a number of earlier studies that demonstrated that
creatine supplementation at low doses and without the use of the loading phase are effective for increasing
maximal strength and endurance of upper limbs.

Del Vecchio, F. B., Farias, C. B., de Leon, R. C., Rocha, A. C. C. A., Galliano, L. M., & Coswig, V. S. (2018). Injuries in
martial arts and combat sports: Prevalence, characteristics and mechanisms. Science & Sports, 33(3), 158-163.
Summary Objective To measure sports injuries prevalence, types and mechanisms, considering grappling and
impact modalities. Equipment and methods An observational, descriptive epidemiology study was conducted
involving 125 recreational practitioners. Subjects were inquired regarding the type of martial arts and combat
sports (MACS), age, practice time and weekly training volume. Results From all, 53.6% athletes suffered injury in
the last 12 months. The most common were tendon injuries (39%) and sprains (39%), followed by
dislocation/subluxation (23%). In grappling MACS, as Judo, joints injuries were the most frequent, especially the
knees and shoulders. For striking modalities, such as Karate, muscle injuries were more frequent and the most
common sites were feet and toes, followed by hands and fingers. The lower limbs were the most affected site (χ 2
= 67.8, P < 0.001). A higher prevalence of injury was found in combat simulations (43%) than in technical training
(26%) and competition (10%). Conclusion There was a high percentage of injury in lower limbs for both modality
groups, and the higher frequency of injuries in the upper limbs were the shoulders, hands and fingers, while for
lower limbs were the feet and toes, ankles and knees. Injury occurred mainly during technical training and, in
most cases, without protective equipment.

Demirel, N., Özbay, S., & Kaya, F. (2018). The Effects of Aerobic and Anaerobic Training Programs Applied to Elite
Wrestlers on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Blood Lipids. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 6(4), 58-62.
The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of aerobic and anaerobic training programs applied to elite
wrestlers on body mass index (BMI) and blood lipids. 20 elite wrestlers, whose average age is (experimental
group; 15.20 ± 4.61, n = 10), control group; 15.90 ± 2.08, n = 10), participated in the study and they were
randomly divided into two groups. Strength and endurance training programme based on "one day aerobic, one
day anaerobic" principles was applied to the experimental group six days a week for eight weeks. The control
group went on doing normal routine wrestling technical training. Before and after eight-week training program,
BMI, Triglyceride, HDL-C, VLDL, Cholesterol, LDL blood values were taken from the experimental and the control
group by body analyser. According to the results of the study, none of the blood lipid indicators of the control
group were significantly changed from pretest to posttest. (p>0.05). However, HDL-C, cholesterol and LDL values
from blood lipids indicators of the experimental group changed significantly from pretest to posttest. (p<0.05).
There were no significant changes in body mass index (BMI), Triglyceride and VLDL. As a result, this study
revealed that there was no significant difference in the control group which did exercise routinely, while the
training programme with changeable type and volume made significant differences in the experimental group. In
the statistical analyses, paired- samples t test was used for intra-group comparisons, and independent sample t
test was used for inter-group comparisons. The significance level was determined as p<0.05. For all the values,
mean and standard deviation were used.

Demirhan, B., Canuzakov, K., Abdurrahmanova, C., Gunay, M., Bolzhirova, E. (2018). Seasonal evaluation of regional
strength of athletes of national team of Kyrgyzstan from different branches of sport before 2016 summer Olympic
games. Ovidius University Annals, Series Physical Education & Sport/Science, Movement & Health, 18, 290-294.
Objective. In this work, the changes in the regional strengths during the seasonal training period of 38 athletes
prepared to qualification before 2016 Summer Olympic Games were analyzed. The research was conducted on
35 male and 3 female national athletes including 9 male Greko-Roman wrestlers (24±4.5 years), 10 male
Freestyle wrestling athletes (22.10±3,21 years), 8 male judokas (23.6±1.89 years), 8 male athletes (22.29±2.87
years), and 3 female athletes (21.67±2.08 years) Methods. The regional strength of the participating athletes was
measured 3 times in total, immediately before the 6-month training period, 3 months later and 6 months later.
Measurement of Hand Grip Strength (HGS) of athletes was assessed using the Takei brand Hand dynamometer
and back and leg strength was measured by the Takei back-lift Dynamometer. To determine the difference
between the measurements, the test "Analysis of variance in repeated measurements" was used. Differences in P
<0.05 were considered significant. Results. Study revealed that, judokas', Greco- Roman and freestyle wrestlers'

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 9

 back and leg strength were significantly higher (P<0.05) on the 6th month compared to baseline and 3 month later
measurements. Left and right grip strength did not reflect any statistical differences according to time
measurement in all branches of Sport (P> 0.05). The strength values of female athletes showed no statistical
difference between the measurements (P> 0.05). Conclusions. Strength training, which wrestlers, judokas and
male athletes were engaged in during the preparatory period, led to an increase in the value of the back and leg
strength, as they approached the period of the competition. However, it was observed that, even the features of
strength that is important for wrestling athletes are increased, in general, this increase is lower than expected for
Olympic athletes. For this reason, it was concluded that the athletes have to carry out more planned studies to
gain strength during the preparation period.

Den Hartigh, R. J. R., Niessen, A. S. M., Frencken, W. G. P., & Meijer, R. R. (2018). Selection procedures in sports:
Improving predictions of athletes’ future performance. European journal of sport science, 1-8.
doi:10.1080/17461391.2018.1480662
The selection of athletes has been a central topic in sports sciences for decades. Yet, little consideration has
been given to the theoretical underpinnings and predictive validity of the procedures. In this paper, we evaluate
current selection procedures in sports given what we know from the selection psychology literature. We contrast
the popular clinical method (predictions based on overall impressions of experts) with the actuarial approach
(predictions based on pre-defined decision rules), and we discuss why the latter approach often leads to superior
performance predictions. Furthermore, we discuss the “signs” and the “samples” approaches. Taking the
prevailing signs approach, athletes’ technical-, tactical-, physical-, and psychological skills are often assessed
separately in controlled settings. However, for predicting later sport performance, taking samples of athletes’
behaviours in their sports environment may result in more valid assessments. We discuss the possible
advantages and implications of making selection procedures in sports more actuarial and sample-based.

do Nascimento-Carvalho, B., Mayta, M. A. C., Izaias, J. E., Doro, M. R., Scapini, K., Caperuto, E., . . . Sanches, I. C.
(2018). Cardiac sympathetic modulation increases after weight loss in combat sports athletes. / aumento de la
modulación cardíaca simpáticadespués de la pérdida ponderal en atletas de combate. Revista Brasileira De
Medicina Do Esporte, 24(6), 413-417.
Introduction: Although the rapid weight loss process is undertaken by combat sports athletes very often, the
impact of this practice on cardiovascular health is not fully understood. Objective: To verify the effects of the rapid
weight loss process undertaken by combat sports athletes on hemodynamic parameters, cardiovascular
autonomic modulation and mood state. Methods: Eight male fighters (21.62±1.49 years, 71.25±3.54 kg, 1.74±0.03
cm) were assessed in the city of São Paulo. The subjects had 5.37±0.77 years of practice and were training
5.75±0.45 days per week, for 3.05±0.69 hours per day. The athletes were assessed on 2 occasions: 14 days
before and 1 day before official weigh-in. Weight, height and bioimpedance were used for body composition
analysis. Mood state was assessed using the Brums Mood Scale. Blood pressure was measured at rest with a
digital meter. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was obtained through an analysis of heart rate variability
recorded for 25 minutes at rest. The Student's t-test for dependent samples was used for comparison between
time points. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Results: No differences in body composition were
observed between the time points evaluated. After the weight loss strategy, increases in mood state parameters
related to anger, vigor and fatigue categories were observed. Blood pressure did not change between the time
points evaluated. However, an increase in heart rate associated with greater sympathetic modulation was
observed after the weight loss strategy. There were no differences in autonomic modulation parameters
representing parasympathetic activity. Conclusions: The study provided evidence of a higher cardiovascular risk
in athletes as a result of this rapid weight loss practice, which is very concerning since combat sports athletes
repeat this process several times during their lives.
Dokmanac, M., & Slačanec, K. (2018). Analysis of the Most Important Parameters in Wrestling Matches from the Senior
World Championship 2017, the Senior European Championship 2018 and the World Championship 2018.
International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2), 18-29.
This analysis is based on the three the most important wrestling competitions in Greco-Roman Style in 2017
and 2018, the Senior World Championship (2017), the Senior European Championship (2018) and Senior World
Championship (2018).

Durkalec-Michalski, K., Zawieja, E. E., Podgorski, T., Zawieja, B. E., Michalowska, P., Loniewski, I., & Jeszka, J. (2018).
The Effect of a New Sodium Bicarbonate Loading Regimen on Anaerobic Capacity and Wrestling Performance.
Nutrients, 10(6), 16. doi:10.3390/nu10060697
Gastrointestinal side effects are the main problem with sodium bicarbonate (SB) use in sports. Therefore, our
study assessed the effect of a new SB loading regimen on anaerobic capacity and wrestling performance. Fifty-
eight wrestlers were randomized to either a progressive-dose regimen of up to 100 mg.kg-1 of SB or a placebo for
10 days. Before and after treatment, athletes completed an exercise protocol that comprised, in sequence, the
first Wingate, dummy throw, and second Wingate tests. Blood samples were taken pre- and post-exercise. No
gastrointestinal side effects were reported during the study. After SB treatment, there were no significant

10 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 improvements in the outcomes of the Wingate and dummy throw tests. The only index that significantly improved
with SB, compared to the placebo (p = 0.0142), was the time-to-peak power in the second Wingate test, which
decreased from 3.44 +/- 1.98 to 2.35 +/- 1.17 s. There were also no differences in blood lactate or glucose
concentrations. In conclusion, although the new loading regimen eliminated gastrointestinal symptoms, the doses
could have been too small to elicit additional improvements in anaerobic power and wrestling performance.
However, shortening the time-to-peak power during fatigue may be particularly valuable and is one of the
variables contributing to the final success of a combat sports athlete.

Elliott-Sale, K. J., Tenforde, A. S., Parziale, A. L., Holtzman, B., & Ackerman, K. E. (2018). Endocrine Effects of Relative
Energy Deficiency in Sport. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 28(4), 335-349.
The term Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport was introduced by the International Olympic Committee in 2014. It
refers to the potential health and performance consequences of inadequate energy for sport, emphasizing that
there are consequences of low energy availability (EA; typically defined as <30 kcal·kg−1 fat-free mass·day−1)
beyond the important and well-established female athlete triad, and that low EA affects populations other than
women. As the prevalence and consequences of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport become more apparent, it is
important to understand the current knowledge of the hormonal changes that occur with decreased EA. This
paper highlights endocrine changes that have been observed in female and male athletes with low EA. Where
studies are not available in athletes, results of studies in low EA states, such as anorexia nervosa, are included.
Dietary intake/appetite-regulating hormones, insulin and other glucose-regulating hormones, growth hormone and
insulin-like growth factor 1, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and gonadal hormones are all discussed. The effects of
low EA on body composition, metabolic rate, and bone in female and male athletes are presented, and we identify
future directions to address knowledge gaps specific to athletes.

Fabrikant, J. D. (2018). The Discriminatory Impact of Title IX through Its Implementation in U.S. College Athletics.
International Journal of Sport & Society: Annual Review, 9(3), 53-72.

Farahbakhsh, F., Akbari-Fakhrabadi, M., Shariat, A., Cleland, J. A., Farahbakhsh, F., Seif-Barghi, T., . . . Kordi, R. (2018).
Neck pain and low back pain in relation to functional disability in different sport activities. Journal of Exercise
Rehabilitation, 14(3), 509-515. doi:10.12965/jer.1836220.110
This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of neck pain, low back pain (LBP)
and also the LBP related functional disability in five sport categories including football, volleyball, basketball,
wrestling, and other sports in one of the Iranian sport Olympiads. The prevalence of neck pain and LBP in
different time points was evaluated with the use of an interview questionnaire. A visual analogue scale was used
to evaluate the athlete's current pain. Furthermore, the functional disability related to LBP was assessed by the
Athletes Disability Index Questionnaire (ADI). A total of 452 male athletes aging between 12 and 20 were
screened. Three hundred seventy-seven participants responded to the questionnaires in which their mean age
(standard deviation) was 15.95 ±1.25. Collectively, the life-time prevalence of neck pain and LBP in all the
athletes was 38.8% and 42.0%, respectively. The highest risk of neck pain at all-time points was observed among
basketball players compared to other sport groups (P<0.05). The risk of LBP in most time points was the least
among wrestlers (P<0.05). The ADI score was significantly higher among basketball players (13.89%) compared
to volleyball players and wrestlers (P<0.05). Our study revealed a high prevalence of neck pain and LBP among
Iranian young male athletes. A higher risk of neck pain and LBP among basketball players predisposes this sport
at high risk of developing spine injuries which needs further consideration.

Flatt, R. E., & Taylor, C. B. (2018). Adapting a Technology-Based Eating Disorder Model for Athletes. Journal of Clinical
Sport Psychology, 12(4), 699-717.
Eating disorders (EDs) are common amongst athletes, yet few receive treatment. Given that athletes have a
unique set of risk factors for eating disorders and are faced with additional barriers to treatment, new models
outside of face-to-face treatment are necessary to reach the population and provide more affordable, tailored,
evidence-based care. One solution is to use digital mental health programs to provide primary or supplemental
therapy. Digital programs can provide accessibility and privacy, and recent advancements allow for more
personalized online experiences. However, there have been no studies to date that integrate technology-based
tools to address the especially high prevalence rates of EDs in athletes. This paper describes how an integrated
model that includes online screening linked to guided self-help programs, all adapted specifically for athletes, can
be used to provide prevention and intervention of EDs in athletes.

Franchini, E., Gutierrez-Garcia, C., & Izquierdo, E. (2018). Olympic combat sports research output in the Web of Science:
a sport sciences centered analysis. / Wyniki badań dotyczące olimpijskich sportów walki opublikowane na
platformie Web of Science: analiza obejmująca nauki przyrodnicze. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial
Arts Anthropology, 18(3), 21-27.
Background and aim. The Olympic Games are the world's most important sport competition, and Sport Sciences
have been regarded to play an important role for sport success at the Olympics. The combat sports of boxing,

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 11

 fencing, judo, taekwondo and wrestling represent 20-25% of all medals disputed in this competition, and karate
will be included Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. In this context, this study aimed at describing the scenario of
scientific research on Olympic combat sports in the Sport Sciences field. Methodology. Data search was
performed in the area of Sport Sciences of the Web of Science core collection database. The variables selected
for analysis were total number of publications, h-index, citations analyses and top ten types of documents,
countries, research institutions, languages and journals. Results. A total of 2,752 publications were retrieved,
achieving an h-index of 74, 34,255 citations and an average of 12.45 citations per item. The research was mainly
published in English (95.35%), in article form (75.14%) and in the United States of America (27.87%), while the
University of Sao Paulo (4.69%) and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (11.56%) were respectively
the institution and the source leading their top ten lists. Conclusion. Combat sports literature indexed in the Web
of Science database amounted to nearly 1% of the Sport Sciences research area, showing that this field of study
is still starting to consolidate. The connection between sport practice and research, the indexation of more combat
sports journals, and the increase in the number and collaborations among researchers are suggested as potential
ways to strengthen combat sports research.

Franchini, E., Lira, F. S., Julio, U. F., Antunes, B. M., Agostinho, M. F., Shiroma, S. A., & Gonçalves Panissa, V. L. (2018).
Cytokine, physiological, technical-tactical and time structure responses in simulated judo competition.
International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(4), 595-608.
This study investigated physiological modulation on metabolic and inflammatory parameters, the technical-tactical
and time structure variables, across a simulated judo competition. Ten judokas were submitted to a simulated
competition (four matches), with blood collection in time zero, after each match, and 30 and 60 min post the fourth
match. Before each match the rating of perceived recovery (RPR) and after each match the rating of perceived
exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were collected; lactate concentration before and after each match was
collected. There was no difference across matches for RPR, RPE, HR, technical-tactical, time structure,
interleukin (IL)-10, MCP-1, TNF-α, cortisol, testosterone and testosterone-cortisol ratio. Higher lactate was found
post-match compared to prematch. Moreover, lactate was higher pre-third than the pre-first match, and post-
second than post-third and fourth matches. Glucose was higher post-second match compared to prematches and
30-min post-fourth match; IL-6 was higher post-third, post-fourth and post-30 and 60-min fourth match than
prematches and also higher post-first match compared to post-third and 60-min post-fourth match. Thus,
alterations observed in glucose, lactate and IL-6 judo competition seem to be related to metabolism regulation to
maintain the technical-tactical actions across the matches.

Fraser, S. (2018). In Memorium: A Tribute to Frank Andersson. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2), 51-52.

Gierczuk, D., Bujak, Z., Cieslinski, I., Lyakh, V., & Sadowski, J. (2018). Response time and effectiveness in elite greco-
roman wrestlers under simulated fight conditions. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 32(12), 3433-
3440. doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000002868
The purpose of the study was to determine changes in response time and its correlations with tactical and
technical actions performed by Greco-Roman wrestlers in a fight. Twenty wrestlers aged 19-25 (21.4 +/- 1.8)
years were divided into 2 groups, i.e., finalists of Polish Senior Championships (winners of 1st and 2nd places)
and wrestlers who won 3rd-6th places in those competitions. The subjects from 1 group were individually paired
with the wrestlers from the other group according to the same weight class. Response time before a fight and
during the intervals between the 3 rounds was assessed. Batak Lite (test IV) was used in the study. The Polar
M400 watch was used to register heart rate. Response time changed during a fight. The finalists showed
significantly quicker reaction and performed a higher number of technical and tactical actions. The differences
grew in the course of a fight, and the largest ones were observed during the third round. The strongest
correlations were noted between response time and the number of technical and tactical actions performed during
the third round (r = 0.77, p<0.001). Response time is a significant determinant of wrestlers' results, which can be
observed at submaximal intensity of the effort (176-195 b.min-1) during a fight.

Gleaves, J. (2018). Where's the Merit in That? Limits to Employing the Natural in Antidoping Ethics. American Journal of
Bioethics, 18(6), 20-21. doi:10.1080/15265161.2018.1459942
The author responds to the article "Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Sport and the Ideal of Natural Athletic
Performance," by Sigmund Loland, that was published within the issue. Topics discussed include the use of
performance-enhancing drugs in sports, the argument that the natural can provide a normative standard for sport,
and acceptable efforts to enhance sporting performance.

Goncharov, O. Г., Олексій]. (2018). Quality of life of veterans of sports with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral
spine/Якість життя ветеранів спорту з остеохондрозом попереково-крижового відділу хребта. Slobozhanskyi
R & Sports Bulletin, 63(1), 15-18.
Purpose: to establish the effect of a comprehensive program of physical rehabilitation on the quality of life of
wrestlers – veterans of sports with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine in the training motor regime. Material

12 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 & Methods: 34 athletes-veterans at the age of 36–45 years, a kind of struggle – judo and sambo-wrestling took
part in the study. Sports qualification of athletes: MS – 25 people, MSIG – 9 people. The test was carried out on
the verbal assessment scale of pain, the degree of vertebro-neurological disorders was assessed, the standard of
living for the Oswestrovsky questionnaire was determined. Results: after application of the proposed
comprehensive physical rehabilitation program for wrestlers – veterans of sports of the MG in 68% of cases,
complaints were absent, the degree of vertebro-neurological disorders decreased, the results of the questionnaire
on the Oswestrovsky questionnaire showed a statistically significant decrease in complaints of pain in various
spheres of life. Conclusion: the positive influence of the developed program of physical rehabilitation on the
quality of life of wrestlers – veterans of sports is proved.

Goncharov, O., [Олексій]. (2018). Warm-up activity does not produce potentiation post-activation in wrestling athletes /
Динаміка показників емпіричного дослідження та біогеометричного профілю у борців - ветеранів спорту з
остеохондрозом попереково-крижового відділу хребта Slobozhanskyi R & Sports Bulletin, 66(4), 58-62.
Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of the program of physical rehabilitation on the basis of studying the
dynamics of indicators of empirical research, vertebro-neurological symptoms and biogeometric profile in
wrestlers – veterans of sports with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. Material & Methods: theoretical
analysis and generalization of literature data; use of diagnostic scales (visual analogue pain scale (VAS), scale of
five-point evaluation of vertebroneurological symptoms), determination of mobility of the lumbosacral spine,
Schober’s test, Tommyer test – fingers-floor test; methods of mathematical statistics. Results: based on the
results of the study, a statistically significant dynamics of the parameters of the empirical study, the parameters of
the biogeometric profile in the wrestlers – the veterans of the main group sport, was found in the course of
physical rehabilitation according to the developed program with the application of therapeutic gymnastics,
exercises in post-isometric relaxation. Conclusion: the results of the study confirmed the effectiveness of the
comprehensive physical rehabilitation program developed by us, showed that a positive effect on the index of
pain, vertebro-neurological symptoms, an increase in the amplitude of the spinal motion in both the sagittal and
frontal planes.

Goodman, A. D., DeFroda, S. F., Gil, J. A., Kleiner, J. E., Li, N. Y., & Owens, B. D. (2018). Season-Ending Shoulder
Injuries in the National Collegiate Athletic Association: Data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program, 2009-
2010 Through 2013-2014. American journal of sports medicine, 46(8), 1936-1942.
Background: Examination of the incidence of shoulder season-ending injury (SEI) in the collegiate athlete
population is limited. Purpose: To determine the incidence of shoulder SEI in the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) and to investigate the risk factors for a shoulder injury ending an athlete’s season. Study
Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: All shoulder injuries from the NCAA Injury Surveillance
Program database for the years 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 were extracted, and SEI status was noted. The
incidences of SEI and non-SEI were calculated for athlete, activity, and injury characteristics and compared via
univariable analysis and risk ratios to determine risk factors for an injury being season ending. Results: Shoulder
injuries were season ending in 4.3% of cases. The overall incidence of shoulder SEI was 0.31 per 10,000 athlete
exposures (AEs), as opposed to 7.25 per 10,000 AEs for all shoulder injuries. Shoulder instability constituted
49.1% of SEI, with an incidence of 0.15 per 10,000 AEs, while fractures had the highest rate of being season
ending (41.9%). Men’s wrestling had the highest incidence of shoulder SEI (1.65 per 10,000 AEs), while men’s
soccer had the highest proportion of shoulder injuries that ended a season (14.6%). Overall, men had a 6.3-fold
higher incidence of SEI than women and a 2.4-fold increased likelihood that an injury would be season ending.
Conclusion: Injury to the shoulder of an NCAA athlete, while somewhat infrequent, can have significant
implications on time lost from play. Incidence of these injuries varies widely by sport and injury, with a number of
associated risk factors. Athletes sustaining potentially season-ending shoulder injuries, with their coaches and
medical providers, may benefit from these data to best manage expectations and outcomes.

Groth, B., Foote, D. M., & Horswill, C. A. (2018). Defining the Wrestler’s Body – Appropriate Measures for Targeting
Weight Class. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(1), 4-12.
Competition within a specified weight class is a fixture in the sport of wrestling to help prevent injury and allow
equal opportunity among participants. Weight reduction to a lower than normal weight class is a common practice
in the U.S. Because of adverse events with such practice, national governing bodies (NGB) in the states have
established programs to guide wrestlers to safe weight classes based on body composition. For large teams of
participants, the field assessments adopted by NGB’s include anthropometry using skinfold thicknesses (SF) and
bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) because of the validation testing and efficiency. The standard used to
calibrate, or cross validate SF, BIA, and any other field methods has most often been densitometry that typically
relies on hydrostatic weighing of the athlete (HW). Assumptions on which HW was developed include fixed
constants for hydration and mineralization of the fat-free body. However, maturation level, gender, and ethnicity
will alter these constants and leave densitometry to be erroneous regardless of whether HW or other methods (air
displacement plethysmography) are applied as the validation standard. The biological variability of the wrestler

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 13

 body must be accounted for to develop accurate and reliable methods. In this way, fair and safe minimal weight
programs can
be implemented in the sport.

Guillen Pereira, L., Copello Janjaque, M., Gutierrez Cruz, M., & Guerra Santiesteban, J. R. (2018). Methodology for
improving the teaching-learning process of technical-tactical elements in combat sports. / Metodología para el
perfeccionamiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los elementos técnicos-tácticos en los deportes de
combate. Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación(34), 33-39.
Enhancing Sports Initiation phase commits very closely to the knowledge of novel and contemporary issues
originated from the pedagogical context, and the ways to manage them. As a result, methodologies applied to any
sport discipline demand continuous updating in the theoretical, methodological, and practical aspect. Based on
that, the present investigation had the objective to validate a methodology to perfect the learning process of
tactical and technical elements in combat sports. Three disciplines (Karate, Judo and Taekwondo) were taken into
account, with a sample of 265 coaches selected intentionally from a population of 852, reflecting the proportion of
coaches in each discipline: Judo 96; Karate: 83; Taekwondo: 77. An instrument composed of 12 indicators was
developed for the validation of the proposal. Five criteria were defined: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and
Poor, each of them having been assigned a code; to obtain objective results, we used the Tórgerson
Mathematical Model, which allowed to define cut-off points for the methodology evaluation criteria; for the
validation of the proposal, a pedagogical pre-experiment was applied. Data were compared employing Wilcoxon
test for related samples. Results showed high significance in all cases (p = .002). Therefore, H0 is rejected
whereas Hi is accepted, which demonstrates the validity of the methodology.

Haik, J., Givol, O., Kornhaber, R., Cleary, M., Ofir, H., & Harats, M. (2018). Cauliflower ear - a minimally invasive
treatment method in a wrestling athlete: a case report. International Medical Case Reports Journal, 11, 5-7.
doi:10.2147/imcrj.s152145
Acute auricular hematoma can be caused by direct blunt trauma or other injury to the external ear. It is typically
seen in those who practice full contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, and rugby. "Cauliflower ear" deformity,
fibrocartilage formation during scarring, is a common complication of auricular hematomas. Therefore, acute
drainage of the hematoma and postprocedural techniques for preventing recurrence are necessary for preventing
the deformity. There are many techniques although no superior method of treatment has been found. In this case
report, we describe a novel method using needle aspiration followed by the application of a magnet and an
adapted disc to the affected area of the auricular. This minimally invasive, simple, and accessible method could
potentially facilitate the treatment of cauliflower ear among full contact sports athletes.

Hammami, N., Hattabi, S., Salhi, A., Rezgui, T., Oueslati, M., & Bouassida, A. (2018). Combat sport injuries profile: A
review. Science & Sports, 33(2), 73-79.
Summary Objectives The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the injury location, injury diagnosis,
injury risk factors and injury prevention among practitioners of different combat sports. News This review was
conducted using databases of MEDLINE (via Pubmed), Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. The studies
concerned were classified according to the nature of the combat sports and the type of the injury by three authors
using the titles, abstracts and full texts if available. Data from different observational studies suggest that there is
a significant injury problem in combat sport in general because the main goal of the practitioners is to strike and/or
to project opponent with maximal power and speed in order to win. This exposes them to permanent risk of
injuries, which limit usually training effects, provoke disability conditions with competitiveness loss and often ruin
their careers. However, it varies considerably across different styles. Researchers used retrospective and
prospective method to explore specificity of injury but little is known about the actual severity of injuries in combat
sports. Prospects and projects Future studies are highly encouraged to adopt stronger methodologies. The long-
term consequences of injuries, a detailed balance sheet by nature of injury and specific preventive strategies are
needed to support the findings presented in this review. Conclusion In this review, a preliminary injury profiles in
combat sports was established containing location and types of injuries. Compared to other sports, combat sports
are no more dangerous especially for beginner practitioners.

Helm, N., Prieske, O., Muehlbauer, T., Krüger, T., Chaabene, H.,, & Granacher, U. (2018). Validation of A New Judo-
Specific Ergometer System in Male Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 17, 465-
474.
Our experimental approach included two studies to determine discriminative
validity and test-retest reliability (study 1) as well as ecological validity (study 2) of a judo ergometer system while
performing judo-specific movements. Sixteen elite (age: 23 ± 3 years) and 11 sub-elite (age: 16 ± 1 years)
athletes participated in study 1 and 14 male sub-elite judo athletes participated in study 2. Discriminative validity
and test-retest reliability of sport-specific parameters (mechanical work, maximal force) were assessed during
pulling movements with and without tsukuri (kuzushi). Ecological validity of muscle activity was determined by
performing pulling movements using the ergometer without tsukuri

14 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 and during the same movements against an opponent. In both conditions, electromyographic activity of trunk
(e.g., m. erector spinae) and upper limb muscles (e.g., m. biceps brachii) were assessed separately for the lifting
and pulling arm. Elite athletes showed mostly better mechanical work, maximal force, and
power (0.12 ≤ d ≤ 1.80) compared with sub-elite athletes. The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed
acceptable validity of the JERGo© system to discriminate athletes of different performance levels predominantly
during kuzushi without tsukuri (area under the curve = 0.27-0.90). Moreover, small-to-medium discriminative
validity was found to detect meaningful performance changes for mechanical work and maximal force. The
JERGo© system showed small-to-high relative (ICC = 0.37-0.92) and absolute reliability (SEM = 10.8-18.8%).
Finally, our analyses revealed acceptable correlations (r = 0.41-0.88) between
muscle activity during kuzushi performed with the JERGo© system compared with a judo opponent. Our findings
indicate that the JERGo© system is a valid and reliable test instrument for the assessment and training of judo-
specific pulling kinetics particularly during kuzushi movement without
tsukuri.

Judo ergometer (JERGo©) system with real time display for judo-
specific performances (i.e., mechanical
work, maximal force, power) and force displacement characteristics for
the pulling (left display) and the
lifting (right display) arm during repeated kuzushi movements.

Herrera-Valenzuela, T., Valdes-Badilla, P., & Pardo, C. (2018). 2nd International Congress on High Performance Sports:
a report on martial arts and combat sports. / II Międzynarodowy Kongres Sportów Wyczynowych: raport na temat
sztuk walki i sportów walki. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 18(3), 51-53.
Introduction. Martial arts and combat sports are practiced by thousands of people around the world and
increasingly discussed in scientific publications. Material and Methods. We describe an observational case study
by describing and analyzing the activities of the II International Congress on High Performance Sports, an event
hosted by Universidad Santo Tomas and the High Performance Center, Government of Chile. Results. Tree of the
15 plenary conferences and one of the 16 workshops focused on martial arts and combat sports. Conclusions.
The conference was attended by four professionals from martial arts and combat sports, of note was the
presence of Dr. Emerson Franchini. This shows that applied science in martial arts and combat sports is gaining
traction within scientific events in the Chilean context, allowing the scientific community to learn about advances
related to performance in combat sports.

Hogrefe, S., Ruiz-Barquin, R., & Molinero, O. (2018). Anxiety and coping strategies of judo competitors / Ansiedad y
estrategias de afrontamiento en judokas de competición. . Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas, 13, 23-26.
The aim of this study was to describe the anxiety responses and coping strategies used by competitive judokas of
different sex category, level of performance, experience and age category. The sample was composed of 58
competitive Spanish judokas. They completed a battery of test composed by a socio-demographic questionnaire,
the CSAI2R and the ISRAB, responses version, to evaluate anxiety. Finally, we used the ISCCS to evaluate the
judokas' coping strategies. The results showed that women, low performance judokas, experienced judokas and
the top age categories (junior and senior) presented high levels of anxiety and lower auto confidence.
Correlational analysis showed that judokas' most used strategies were task oriented coping (TOC), though with
high levels of anxiety they choose emotional oriented coping (EOC), which the scientific literature does not
associate with good performance. In addition, high levels of auto confidence correlated positively with distraction-
oriented coping (DOC). The practical implication of this work relates to the usefulness of this information for the
improvement and optimization of competitive judokas' copying strategies.

Holiaka, Serhii & Hluhov, Ivan [Голяка, С., & Глухов, І. (2018). Антропометричні та функціональні показники
спортсменів з різним типом конституції тіла / Anthropometric and functional indicators of athletes with different
types of body constitution. Slobozhanskyi R & Sports Bulletin, 68(6), 44-48.
Purpose: to determine the main anthropometric indicators, the level of the functional state of the cardiovascular
and respiratory systems of athletes, depending on the type of constitution of their body. Material & Methods: in the
course of the study, measurements were made of the type of body constitution, morphological indicators and
indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of athletes. Two experimental
groups were formed from specialized sport school athletes. Results: the analysis of anthropometric and functional
indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of athletes specializing in freestyle wrestling and rowing
from specialized sport school is carried out. The dependence of the state of morphological and functional
parameters of athletes depending on the type of body constitution is shown. Conclusion: the dependence is

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 15

 established between the type of body constitution with the morphological and functional indicators of athletes
specializing in freestyle wrestling and canoeing.

Hossein, T., Rabiee, M.-A., Arefi, R. G., Ramazani, F., & Yaghoubi, A. (2018). Correlation Between Anthropometric,
Physical Fitness Traits, Lung Capacity, and Success of Iranian Elite Greco-Roman Wrestlers. Asian Journal of
Sports Medicine, 9(4), 1-6.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate how lung capacity and anthropometric and physical fitness traits are
associated with success of Iranian elite Greco-Roman wrestlers. Methods: Twenty-five male Iranian elite Greco-
Roman wrestlers (22 ± 4 years old) (both of light and heavy weights) participated in the present study.
Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness traits, and lung capacity were tested in the exercise physiology
laboratory. Results: Our results showed a significant and positive correlation between arm span, as the only
anthropometric trait, and success of Iranian elite Greco-Roman wrestlers. Also, maximal oxygen consumption,
dead lift, squat, bench press, agility, shoulder and wrist elevation, sit and reach, eye/left hand reaction time,
eye/foot reaction time, ear/left hand reaction time, ear/foot reaction time were positively correlated with success.
Furthermore, there were significant and positive correlations between inspiratory reserve volume, tidal volume,
forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (in one second), maximal voluntary ventilation, and success. In
contrast, we observed a negative and significant correlation between body fat (%) and success of Iranian elite
Greco-Roman wrestlers. Conclusions: Physical fitness traits and lung capacity have a greater potential than
anthropometric characteristics in the prediction of Greco-Roman wrestler's success in championship levels.

Isik, O., & Gumus, H. (2018). Evaluation of effective demographic variables in competition performances of Turkish
wrestling referees. Journal of Human Sport & Exercise, 13(1), 60-71.
Management of wrestling competitions of equal competitors is often assigned to successful referees. For this
reason, it is important to determine the demographic variables that influence the referees' level of success. In this
context, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effective demographic variables in competition performances of
Turkish wrestling referees using the logistic regression analysis. The purpose of this research was explained to
the referees and voluntary participation was provided. The research data consist of demographic variables and
the referee evaluation reports of the year 2016 calculated by the Central Referee Committee of the Turkish
Wrestling Federation. The referees were classified as successful (between 7-8.5 points) and unsuccessful
(between ≥8.5-10 points) according to their performance scores. Accordingly, the international referees were 49
times more successful than the national referees in a competition. The referees who wrestled at the international
level were 6 times more successful than the referees wrestling at the national level and who did not wrestle.
Referees whose ages 31-40 and ≥41 were 7.9 and 24.9 times more successful than ≤30 age respectively.
Moreover, it was determined that those who were refereeing for social identity, a hobby, and other reasons in a
competition were, respectively, 6.39 and 22 times more possible to be successful than those who were refereeing
for social status. Consequently, if a successful referee performance was desired, the ones should be selected as
who were over 41 years of age and wrestled at the international level, and who were international level referees
that were refereeing as a hobby or other. Thus, a more successful referee performance can be achieved in
competitions.

Isik, O., Yildirim, I., Ersoz, Y., Koca, H. B., Dogan, I., & Ulutas, E. (2018). Monitoring of pre-competition dehydration-
induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammation levels among elite wrestlers. Journal of Back &
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 31(3), 533-540.
BACKGROUND: Weight loss practice before competitions is a common method in weight sports. OBJECTIVE:
The current study aimed to monitor Plasma Osmolarity (POsm), skeletal muscle damage and inflammation levels
induced by pre-competition dehydration among elite wrestlers. METHODS: Twenty-four male elite wrestlers
participated in the study. A survey information form that assessed pre-competition weight loss practices were
administered to the wrestlers. Additionally, Total Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate
Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), C-reactive Protein (C-RP) and P Osm, analyses were
evaluated by a specialist at the biochemical laboratory. POsm level for euhydration is < 290 mOsm/L. But if POsm
level is > 290, then dehydration occurs. The wrestlers were divided into two groups according to POsm levels as
weight loss and non-weight loss group. RESULTS: There were differences in the pre and post-test POsm levels
of weight loss group. Similarly; it was identified that there were also statistically significant differences in terms of
ALT, LDH and CK levels of weight loss group between pre and post-test. CONCLUSIONS: It was seen that POsm
and levels of all indicators of skeletal muscle damage were higher than non-weight loss group. However, it was
found that there were not any differences in terms of C-RP levels.

Iwai, K., Takahashi, R., Yumoto, K., & Nakazato, K. (2018). Methodological Development of a Wrestling Shuttle Test.
International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(1), 22-26.
The purpose of this study was to develop a wrestling shuttle test (WST) based upon four elements. Firstly, the
WST was conducted on a regulation wrestling mat surface making it specific and familiar to a competition area. It
is convenient to administer in a typical wrestling venue by a coach or tester. Secondly, the WST included

16 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 movements in four different directions across the entire mat surface including wrestling-specific standing
movements (sidestepping). Thirdly, the test was based on the international match length consistent with United
World Wrestling (UWW) rules of match duration of two three-minute periods of activity with a 30 second rest
period. Lastly, the shuttle test focused on the individuality of the participant, that is, without a partner or others, to
ensure results are solely of the participants’ individual effort.

Jakovljević, D. K., Eric, M., Jovanovic, G., Dimitric, G., Cupic, M. B., & Ponorac, N. (2018). Explosive muscle power
assessment in elite athletes using Wingate anaerobic test. / Evaluación de la fuerza muscular explosiva en atletas
de élite usando la prueba anaeróbica de wingate. Revista Brasileira De Medicina Do Esporte, 24(2), 107-111.
Introduction: Maximal effort physiological tests provide information about the current functional capacity of
athletes. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate anaerobic performance parameters in elite athletes and
to compare them in terms of the specific demands of each sport. We also created and applied the new software
which enables us to quantify a new parameter -explosive muscle power (EP), a major component in sports
requiring explosive bursts of movement lasting from a few seconds to 1 or 2 minutes. This new parameter reflects
the velocity of energy transformation from intramuscular ATP and high-energy phosphates into mechanical power.
Methods: All Wingate test parameters (standard parameters) - anaerobic power (AP), anaerobic capacity (AC),
and explosive power (EP) as the new parameter were recorded in 104 subjects: 30 non-athletes and 74 athletes
divided into different groups depending on their sport specialty (20 rowers, 28 wrestlers and 26 soccer players).
Results: Anaerobic power (AP), anaerobic capacity (AC) and explosive power (EP) were significantly higher in the
group of athletes compared to non-athletes. Among athletes, significant differences were observed in some
parameters according to the type of activities they are involved in. The highest values were recorded in the group
of wrestlers (AP=836W; AC=16.6kJ; EP=139W/s). The values of AP (absolute values) and EP (absolute and
relative values) were significantly higher in wrestlers than in soccer players and rowers, but there was no
significant difference in AC among these groups. The EP variable had a distribution similar to AP. Conclusions:
Alongside anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity, the assessment of explosive power may complement the
anaerobic profile of athletes. Experts in the field of sports medicine and exercise physiology could find these
results useful in improving test variables, which are more important for specific sports, and for evaluating and
monitoring training progress.

Jun-Young, S., Sok, P., Soon-Gill, L., Sun-Kyung, L., Deuk-Mo, K., Minki, L., & Hee-Jae, K. (2018). Effect of Spatone
Supplement on Endurance Capacity and Inflammatory Cytokines in a Rapid Weight Control Program in University
Wrestlers: A Pilot Study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(8), 832-839. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.4085
In this pilot study, we investigated the effect of Spatone, a naturally occurring mineral water supplement, on
endurance capacity and inflammatory cytokines in wrestlers undergoing a rapid weight control program. Nine
amateur university wrestlers participated and were randomly divided into placebo- and spatone-treated groups.
The study used a crossover design, including a 4-week washout period. The rapid weight control program was
focused on body weight loss, while maintaining their athletic performance (muscular strength and cardiovascular
endurance). The initial body weight was 87.19 ± 2.45 kg in the spatone-treated group and 86.60 ± 3.01 kg in the
placebo group. After the rapid weight control program, the body weight decreased to 83.56 ± 2.71 kg (4.21%
decrease) in the spatone-treated group and 82.95 ± 2.97 kg (4.16% decrease) in the placebo group. However,
there were no significant differences in body weight or body composition between placebo- and spatone-treated
groups. Endurance capacity improved significantly in terms of VO2max and lactate accumulation after spatone
supplement. The interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-6 concentrations were not altered
with spatone treatment or placebo in the rapid weight-loss condition; however, a positive relationship (R = 0.643,
P = .023) was observed between the change in IL-6 and VO2max. Thus, our results are consistent with prior
studies in that spatone supplementation could protect against iron loss induced by intense training, considering
that spatone affects the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and exercise capacity. These preliminary results
serve to facilitate the planning for the nutritional application of spatone with their exercise program for wrestlers.

Karninčić, H., Baić, M., Slačanac, K., Penjak, A., & Jelaska, I. (2018). Relationship Between Training Experience and Pre-
Competition Mood States in Cadet Wrestlers. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2), 9-13.
It is a general assumption that training experience and mood states correlate, so that more experienced
competitors are better in keeping pre-competition negative moods under control. This article addresses the
issue of whether the same is assumption is valid for adolescent wrestlers. The aim of the study was to establish
the correlation between training experience and pre-competition mood states in adolescent wrestlers. The sample
consisted of 75 adolescent wrestlers (age 16.04±0.83) divided in two groups depending on their training
experience: the less experienced wrestlers (n=33) had 2.88±1.04 years of experience and the more experienced
wrestlers (n=42) had 6.86±1.60 years of wrestling training experience. All the participants completed the
psychological questionnaire for mood assessment (Brunel Mood Scale – BRUMS) half an hour before the national
championship. The Vigor variable (F(1.75)= 8.78; p=0.004) was the only variable in which the two groups differed.
The less experienced wrestlers self-reported to have more energy, but they also connected their mood states with
competition placement and body mass reduction, which clearly indicated a different structure of emotions control

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 17

 between these groups. The body mass reduction among the less experienced wrestlers was strongly connected
to negative emotions, primarily anger (r=0.60) and depression (r=0.47). Competition placement was negatively
connected to anger (r=-0.41) and positively to vigour (r=0.34). No significant correlations between the variables
were established among the more experienced wrestlers. We may conclude that, although only one significant
association was found (energy) in mood states, the more experienced U17 wrestlers can better control their
negative pre-competition mood states than those less experienced wrestlers whose negative mood states are
connected to body mass reduction and performance.

Kavoura, A., Kokkonen, M., Chroni, S. A., & Ryba, T. V. (2018). “Some Women Are Born Fighters”: Discursive
Constructions of a Fighter’s Identity by Female Finnish Judo Athletes. Sex Roles, 79(3/4), 239.
doi:10.1007/s11199-017-0869-1
Martial arts and combat sports have been traditionally associated with masculinity, and a range of contradictory
meanings have been attached to women’s engagement and experiences. The present study draws on cultural
praxis and feminist poststructuralist frameworks to explore how female martial artists are subjectified to dominant
cultural discourses surrounding fighting and competition. Interviews with nine female judoka (judo athletes) were
gathered in Finland and analyzed using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA). The FDA revealed that in female
judoka talk, judo was constructed as a sport for all, but also as a male domain and a manly sport with fighting and
competition as innate masculine qualities that are not learned. Two sets of wider, competing discourses provided
the dominant structure for participants’ constructions of judo: (a) a mass sport discourse versus an elite sport
discourse and (b) a gender equality discourse versus a female biological inferiority discourse. Drawing on this
discursive context and in seeking to make sense of their experiences, participants constructed a “naturally born
fighter” identity. Although this might be an empowering identity for female judoka, it does not advance the agenda
of gender equity in martial arts because it constructs “ordinary” women as biologically incapable of competitive
judo. Our findings reveal that even in the relatively egalitarian culture of Finland, gender hierarchies persist in judo
and that it is only by disrupting prevalent constructions of fighting and competitiveness as masculine that progress
toward gender equity can be made.

Kaynar, O. (2018). Infectious dermatological diseases findings of the wrestlers according to regions. Journal of Turgut
Ozal Medical Center, 25(1), 65-69. doi:10.5455/jtomc.2017.12.149
Aim: Dermatologic diseases are commonly found in people engaged in contact sports. Particularly wrestlers can
easily contract skin infections. The aim of this study is to reveal the incidence of infectious skin diseases engaged
in wrestling athletes living in different climate regions. Material and Methods: Three hundred nineteen volunteers
who actively wrestle in different climate regions of Turkey participated to the research. All of the athletes were
asked the questions in the survey of "Personal History and Dermatological Examination Findings of Athlete". The
findings and diagnoses of each wrestler were then recorded and evaluated. Results: Dermatological diseases
were observed in 195 (61.12%) Turkish wrestlers, 84 (26.33%) in the eastern region, 43 (13.47%) in the inland
region and 68 (21.32%) in the coastal region. These diseases were 118 (36.99%) fungal, 49 (15.36) bacterial and
28 (8.77%) viral, respectively. It was found that infectious dermatological diseases were observed more frequently
in the eastern and coastal regions than inland region and this difference was statistically significant. (P = 0.045).
Conclusion: In this study which is the first study conducted on this issue in sports literature, various infectious
dermatological diseases were detected in wrestlers living in different climate regions in Turkey and it was
determined that these diseases differ by climate regions.

Keskİn, A., Hazar, S., Kayabas, O., & Cesur, K. (2018). THE EFFECT OF TRAINING WITH EMPTY AND FULL
BLADDER ON HEMATURIA IN WRESTLERS / GÜREŞÇİLERDE BOŞ VE DOLU MESANE İLE YAPILAN
ANTRENMANIN HEMATURİYE ETKİS. Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science / Beden Egitimi ve Spor
Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(3), 153-159.
The aim of this study is to investigate whether the occupancy status of the bladder affects the hematuria in
wrestling training. 13 active wrestlers participated voluntarily between the ages of 20 and 26 years in Niğde Ömer
Halisdemir University wrestling team. The participants were performed the same content and intensity wrestling
training as empty and full bladder on different days. Urine samples that taken before and after training were
centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 3 minutes. Erythrocyte and leukocyte values were examined between the sediment
lam and lamella x40 magnification in light microscope. Friedman variance analysis was used for the statistical
comparison of the obtained values, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to pairwise comparisons. In the study, it
was found that there was a significant increase in both erythrocyte and leukocyte values at the end of the training
in empty bladder training (p<0.01). On the other hand, it was determined in full bladder training that the increase
neither leukocyte nor erythrocyte values after training was not statistically significant. However, significant
differences were determined between post-training values with filled and empty bladder (p<0.01). As a result,
hematuria, which is frequently seen in heavy physical activities, is affected by the fact that the bladder of the
athlete is empty or full. Considering the impact on sporting performance, it is recommended that the bladder be
filled with a certain amount, especially in combat sports.

18 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

Kirk, C. (2018). Does anthropometry influence technical factors in competitive mixed martial arts? Human Movement,
19(2), 46-59.
Purpose. Previous research has found grappling and strikes to the head to be the determining factors for success
in MMA, whilst anthropometry in the form of stature and wingspan has been found to have a negligible effect. The
current study was designed to determine if a relationship between technique use and anthropometry exists in
MMA. Methods. The in-competition technique data of 461 elite, professional MMA bouts were compared using
Bayes factor t-tests (bF10) to determine which techniques display the highest likelihood of distinguishing between
winners and losers. The differences in technique numbers between winners and losers was also compared to the
anthropometric differences between winners and losers using either Bayesian Pearson's r or Bayesian Kendall's
tau. Simple linear regression (p < 0.05) was used to calculate predictive ability of anthropometrics on chosen
fighting techniques. Results. Heavyweight competitors were distinguished by striking only (bF10 = 399 - 10). Light
heavyweight, middleweight, featherweight, bantamweight, women's bantamweight and women's straw weight
competitors were distinguished predominately by striking (bF10 = 791661 - 7) and moderately by grappling (bF10
= 75 - 7). Welterweight, lightweight and flyweight competitors were distinguished by striking techniques (bF10 =
3.533e+6 - 221) to achieve dominant grappling positions (bF10 = 17100 - 50). In turn, it was found that stature
and/or wingspan are correlated to and can predict key technique variables at heavyweight, welterweight,
lightweight and featherweight. Conclusions. the results provide evidence of which techniques are influenced by
the anthropometric differences between competitors, allowing coaches and competitors to make more informed
tactical decisions in competition preparation.

Kondo, E., Sagayama, H., Yamada, Y., Shiose, K., Osawa, T., Motonaga, K., . . . Okamura, K. (2018). Energy Deficit
Required for Rapid Weight Loss in Elite Collegiate Wrestlers. Nutrients, 10(5), N.PAG-N.PAG.
doi:10.3390/nu10050536
To determine energy density for rapid weight loss (RWL) of weight-classified sports, eight male elite wrestlers
were instructed to lose 6% of body mass (BM) within 53 h. Energy deficit during the RWL was calculated by
subtracting total energy expenditure (TEE) determined using the doubly labeled water method (DLW) from energy
intake (EI) assessed with diet records. It was also estimated from body composition change estimated with the
four-component model (4C) and other conventional methods. BM decreased significantly by 4.7 ± 0.5 kg (6.4 ±
0.5%). Total body water loss was the major component of the BM loss (71.0 ± 7.6%). TEE was 9446 ± 1422 kcal,
and EI was 2366 ± 1184 kcal during the RWL of 53-h; therefore, the energy deficit was 7080 ± 1525 kcal. Thus,
energy density was 1507 ± 279 kcal/kg ∆BM during the RWL, comparable with values obtained using the 4C,
three-component model, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and stable isotope dilution. Energy density for RWL of
wrestlers is lower than that commonly used (7400 or 7700 kcal/kg ΔBM). Although RWL is not recommended, we
propose that commonly practiced extreme energy restriction such as 7400 or 7700 kcal/kg ΔBM during RWL
appears to be meaningless.

Kons, R. L., Ache-Dias, J., Detanico, D., Barth, J., & Pupo, J. D. (2018). Is vertical jump height an indicator of athletes'
power output in different sport modalities? Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins), 32(3), 708-715.
This study aimed to identify whether the ratio standard is adequate for the scaling of peak power output (PPO) for
body mass (BM) in athletes of different sports and to verify classification agreement for athletes involved in
different sports using PPO scaled for BM and jump height (JH). One hundred and twenty-four male athletes
divided into 3 different groups-combat sports, team sports, and runners-participated in this study. Participants
performed the countermovement jump on a force plate. Peak power output and JH were calculated from the
vertical ground reaction force. We found different allometric exponents for each modality, allowing the use of the
ratio standard for team sports. For combat sports and runners, the ratio standard was not considered adequate,
and therefore, a specific allometric exponent for these 2 groups was found. Significant correlations between
adjusted PPO for BM (PPOADJ) and JH were found for all modalities, but it was higher for runners (r = 0.81) than
team and combat sports (r = 0.63 and 0.65, respectively). Moderate agreement generated by the PPOADJ and
JH was verified in team sports (k = 0.47) and running (k = 0.55) and fair agreement in combat sports (k = 0.29).
We conclude that the ratio standard seems to be suitable only for team sports; for runners and combat sports, an
allometric model seems adequate. The use of JH as an indicator of power output may be considered reasonable
only for runners.

Kons, R. L., Dal Pupo, J., Ache-Dias, J., & Detanico, D. (2018). Female judo athletes' physical test performances are
unrelated to technical--tactical competition skills. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 125(4), 802-816.
This study analyzed the relationship between generic and judo-specific physical test performances and technical--
tactical competition performances among 19 female judo athletes. Participant data were gathered in two stages:
(a) physical tests--countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip strength, Special Judo Fitness Test and Judogi Grip
Strength Test; and (b) match performances recorded for technical--tactical analysis. Pearson's linear correlation
and multiple linear regression analysis showed no significant correlations between any technical--tactical
parameter and judo-specific physical tests. However, the number of attacks during matches was significantly

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 19

 positively correlated with countermovement jump height (CMJJH; r = 0.69, p = .002), peak power output
(CMJPPO; r = 0.53, p = .002), and peak velocity (CMJPV; r = 0.62, p = .001). Effective time during matches was
significantly correlated with all CMJ parameters (except maximum force; r = 0.65-0.76, p ≤ .01) and with right
hand grip strength (r = 0.48, p = .037). Match effectiveness was correlated with CMJPPO (r = -0.67, p = .001),
mean power output (CMJMPO; r = -0.54, p = .017), and CMJPV (r = -0.54, p = .004). The explained power of
variance was low for all variables at 45-54%. We conclude that judo-specific performance tests do not seem to be
related to female judo athletes' technical--tactical skills in official competition, though athletes with higher lower
limb muscle power and higher handgrip strength showed higher time effectiveness during matches.

Korobeynikov, G., Korobeynikova, L., Potop, V., Nikonorov, D., Semenenko, V., Dakal, N., & Mischuk, D. (2018). Heart
rate variability system in elite athletes with different levels of stress resistance. Journal of Physical Education &
Sport, 18(2), 550-554.
Purpose: study of peculiarities of heart rate variability system in elite athletes with different level of stress
resistance. Material: 26 elite athletes, members of the Ukrainian National Team in Greco-Roman wrestling took
part in the research. The level of stress resistance (stress tolerance) was determined by the results of test called
"Stress Test" The athletes were divided in two groups according to level of stress resistance. The cardiac monitor
used was the «Polar RS800CX» for the study of heart rate variability. Results: It revealed the increasing of level
of stress resistance related with improving the system of autonomic regulation of heart rate in elite athletes. This
was reflected by a relaxation of the level of tension and activation of the parasympathetic part of autonomous
nervous system. Were revealed the bigger meanings of LF/HF in athletes with average level of stress resistance
for concerning to athletes of high level of stress resistance indicates the amplification of sympathetic and
weakening of parasympathetic link of autonomic nervous system. Conclusions: The athletes with high stress
resistance levels have high levels of heart rate variability and low of centralization of heart rate regulation when
compared to athletes with average level of stress resistance.

Kostikiadis, I. N., Methenitis, S., Tsoukos, A., Veligekas, P., Terzis, G., & Bogdanis, G. C. (2018). The Effect of Short-
Term Sport-Specific Strength and Conditioning Training on Physical Fitness of Well-Trained Mixed Martial Arts
Athletes. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 17(3), 348-358.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short-term, high-intensity, low-volume Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA) specific strength and conditioning training program on performance in national level MMA
athletes. Seventeen experienced fighters were divided into two groups: (A) Specific Training Group (STG; n = 10),
which followed a specific strength and conditioning program designed according to the demands of MMA
competition and (B) Regular Training Group (RTG; n = 7), in which participants followed a regular strength and
conditioning program commonly used by MMA athletes. Before and after the four-week training period (3 days per
week), body composition, aerobic fitness, strength, power and speed were evaluated. Significant improvements in
estimated VO2max, average power during the 2000 m rowing, bench press, back squat and deadlift 1RM, SJ
power, CMJ height power, medicine ball throw velocity, 10 m sprint and 2 m take down speed and fat-free mass
were found only in the STG (3.7 to 22.2%; p < 0.05; Hedge's g = -0.42 - 4.1). No significant changes were found
for the RTG (p = 0.225 to 0.811). Significant differences between the groups were found for almost all post-
training assessments (p < 0.05; Hedge's g = 0.25 - 1.45) as well as for the percentage changes from pre to post
training (p < 0.05; Hedge's g: 0.25 - 1.45). Significant relationships were found between percentage changes in
fat-free mass, endurance capacity, muscle strength/power and speed (r: - 0.475 to 0.758; p < 0.05). These results
suggest that a high-intensity, low-volume strength and conditioning training intervention designed according to the
demands of MMA competition may result in significant performance improvements for well-trained fighters.

Książek, A., Dziubek, W., Pietraszewska, J., & Stowinska-Lisowska, M. (2018). Relationship between 25(OH)D levels and
athletic performance in elite Polish judoists. Biology of Sport, 35(2), 191-196.
There is a growing body of evidence for a role of vitamin D in muscle function and for its influence on athletic
performance, injury profile and recovery in well-trained athletes. The aim of our study was to assess the
relationship between 25(OH)D levels and hand grip strength, lower limb isokinetic strength and muscle power in
elite judoists. We enrolled 25 Polish elite judoists. The mean age was 21.9±9.8 years, the mean height was
179.2±6.6 cm, the mean body mass was 79.1 ±8.7 kg, and the mean career duration was 11.5±3.9 years. Serum
levels of 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH) were measured by electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) using the
Elecsys system (Roche, Switzerland). Serum calcium was determined by colorimetry using the Konelab 60
system from bioMérieux (France). Lower limb strength was tested with the Biodex Multi-Joint 4 Isokinetic
Dynamometer (Biodex Medical System, New York, USA), and hand grip strength was measured with a manual
dynamometer (TAKEI, Japan). Muscle power was determined with the electronic jump mat OptoJump (Microgate,
Bolzano, Italy). Our study showed decreased serum 25(OH)D levels in 80% of the professional judoists. The
results also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between vitamin D levels and left hand grip
strength, muscle power assessed by vertical jump, and total work in left and right knee extensors at an angular
velocity of 60°/s. Based on our results it can be concluded that in well-trained professional athletes, there may be
a relationship between serum levels of 25(OH)D and skeletal muscle strength, power, and work.

20 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

Latishev, S., Korobeynikov G., Latishev, N.V., Curby, D., Korobeynikova, L.G., Tropin, Y. (2018). Comparative Analysis of
Matches of Russian Teams in Freestyle and Female Wrestling. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2),
14-17.
The results of the performances of the Russian National Teams in Freestyle and Women’s wrestling at the
European Championships, World Championships and Olympics Games for the period from 1993 to 2016.
Freestyle Team performs stably and successfully at all competitions, and the percentage of medalists is within 60
- 77.34% of the number of participants, more than half of the medals - gold. The results of the performance of the
Women’s Team are comparable to the results of the Freestyle Team only at European Championships, and at the
World Championships and Olympics Games, the women’s performance is much weaker.

Leite, N., Santos, S., Gonsalves, B., Silva, A., Duarte, R., & Sampaio, J. (2018). Examining the birthdates distribution of
beijing olympic athletes. Examen de la distribución de las fechas de nacimiento de los atletas olímpicos de
Beijing., 27(1), 31-42.
The aim of this study was to examine the birthdate distribution of the entire population of athletes who participated
in the 2008 Olympic Games, considering independently and simultaneously the effect of the following factors: (i)
gender, (ii) sport category, (iii) continent and (iv)performance outcome. The sample included 10.900 athletes
whose birthdates were gathered into quartiles and then inspected with chi-square test. The analyses performed to
compare birthdates distribution considering each sport category (Individual, Combat, Net/Wall, Invasion/Team,
Combined, Field/Run, Target and Early Specialization sports) separately by each continent and performance
outcome. No differences were found in the birthdates distribution for gender (p > .05).However, the results
revealed significant differences in Asian males of Combat sports (x2=12.2 p < .01), South American males of
Invasion/Team sports (x2=9.7 p < .05), Asian females of target sports (x2=9.1 p < .05) and Asian females of Early
specialization sports (x2=8.4 p < .05), with a tendency to be born earlier in the year calendar. However, the North
American females of Invasion/Team sports (x2=13.9 p < .01) showed a trend to born more frequently in the
middle of the year calendar. Our data were not entirely consistent with previous work, adding new insights to the
relative age effects research. The influence of different levels of environmental constraints on athlete's birthdate
distribution is proposed as the theoretical explanation for the encountered findings.

Li, P., De Bosscher, V., Pion, J., Weissensteiner, J. R., & Vertonghen, J. (2018). Is international junior success a reliable
predictor for international senior success in elite combat sports? European journal of sport science, 18(4), 550-
559. doi:10.1080/17461391.2018.1439104
Currently in the literature, there is a dearth of empirical research that confirms whether international junior
success is a reliable predictor for future international senior success. Despite the uncertainty of the junior-senior
relationship, federations and coaches still tend to use junior success as a predictor for long-term senior success.
A range of former investigations utilising a retrospective lens has merely focused on success that athletes
attained at junior level competitions. Success that was achieved at senior-level competitions but at a junior age
was relatively ignored. This study explored to what extent international senior success can be predicted based on
success that athletes achieved in either international junior level competitions (i.e. junior medalists) or senior
competitions at a junior age (i.e. early achievers). The sample contains 4011 international male and female
athletes from three combat sports (taekwondo, wrestling and boxing), who were born between 1974 and 1990
and participated in both international junior and senior-level competitions between 1990 and 2016. Gender and
sport differences were compared. The results revealed that 61.4% of the junior medalists and 90.4% of the early
achievers went on to win international medals at a senior age. Among the early achievers, 92.2% of the
taekwondo athletes, 68.4% of the wrestling athletes and 37.9% of the boxing athletes could be reliably “predicted”
to win international senior medals. The findings demonstrate that specific to the three combat sports examined,
international junior success appears to be an important predictor to long-term international senior success.

Loland, S. (2018). Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Sport, and the Ideal of Natural Athletic Performance. American Journal
of Bioethics, 18(6), 8-15. doi:10.1080/15265161.2018.1459934
The use of certain performance-enhancing drugs (PED) is banned in sport. I discuss critically standard
justifications of the ban based on arguments from two widely used criteria: fairness and harms to health. I argue
that these arguments on their own are inadequate, and only make sense within a normative understanding of
athletic performance and the value of sport. In the discourse over PED, the distinction between "natural" and
"artificial" performance has exerted significant impact. I examine whether the distinction makes sense from a
moral point of view. I propose an understanding of "natural" athletic performance by combining biological
knowledge of training with an interpretation of the normative structure of sport. I conclude that this understanding
can serve as moral justification of the PED ban and enable critical and analytically based line drawing between
acceptable and nonacceptable performance-enhancing means in sport.

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 21

Lopes-Silva, J. P., Da Silva Santos, J. F., Artioli, G. G., Loturco, I., Abbiss, C., & Franchini, E. (2018). Sodium bicarbonate
ingestion increases glycolytic contribution and improves performance during simulated taekwondo combat.
European journal of sport science, 18(3), 431-440. doi:10.1080/17461391.2018.1424942
Purpose: To investigate the effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on performance and estimated energy
system contribution during simulated taekwondo combat. Methods: Nine taekwondo athletes completed two
experimental sessions separated by at least 48 h. Athletes consumed 300 mg/kg body mass of NaHCO3 or
placebo (CaCO3) 90 min before the combat simulation (three rounds of 2 min separated by 1 min passive
recovery), in a double-blind, randomized, repeated-measures crossover design. All simulated combat was filmed
to quantify the time spent fighting in each round. Lactate concentration [La-] and rating of perceived exertion
(RPE) were measured before and after each round, whereas heart rate (HR) and the estimated contribution of the
oxidative (WOXI), ATP (adenosine triphosphate)-phosphocreatine (PCr) (WPCR), and glycolytic (W[La-]) systems
were calculated during the combat simulation. Results: [La-] increased significantly after NaHCO3 ingestion, when
compared with the placebo condition (+14%, P = 0.04, d = 3.70). NaHCO3 ingestion resulted in greater estimated
glycolytic energy contribution in the first round when compared with the placebo condition (+31%, P = 0.01, d =
3.48). Total attack time was significantly greater after NaHCO3 when compared with placebo (+13%, P = 0.05, d
= 1.15). WOXI, WPCR, VO2, HR and RPE were not different between conditions (P > 0.05). Conclusion:
NaHCO3 ingestion was able to increase the contribution of glycolytic metabolism and, therefore, improve
performance during simulated taekwondo combat.

López, D. (2018). Scoring Analysis of the Senior World Wrestling Championships-2017. International Journal of Wrestling
Science, 8(1), 27-82.
To breakdown the scoring made by participants during Senior World Championships 2017, held in Paris,
France, from August, 2017, in all three styles-Greco Roman, Women’s Freestyle and Men’s Freestyle. The
present report follows the key features from reporting style and wrestlers’ performance descriptors
established by Dr. Harold Tünnemann during the last 2 decades. Some new indicators were added to expand
the scope of data. Tools used for analyzing and describing scoring events were the official videos of the
championships and Dartfish Team Pro 9 Video Analysis Software.

López-González, L. M., Sánchez-Oliver, A. J., Mata, F., Jodra, P., Antonio, J., & Domínguez, R. (2018). Acute caffeine
supplementation in combat sports: a systematic review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition,
15(1), N.PAG-N.PAG.
Caffeine used as a supplement has been shown to improve physical and cognitive performance in several sport
modalities due to its effects on the central nervous system. This review assesses the direct effects of caffeine
supplementation on performance in combat sports. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, relevant studies were identified through the Medline, Scopus and
SPORTDiscus databases. Of 1053 search results, only 9 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, three
studies detected no ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation, while six studies did observe a significant
positive effect. Supplementation with 3–6 mg/kg of caffeine was found to increase the glycolytic contribution to
energy metabolism during the execution of real or simulated combats, as indicated by elevated blood lactate
concentrations. Caffeine intake was also noted to improve levels of strength, power and upper arm muscular
endurance. These effects were not paralleled by an increase in the exertion perceived by the athlete.

Mambetaliev, K. U. (2018). The Phenomenon of the World Nomad Games. International Journal of Wrestling Science,
8(2), 40-42.
The phenomenon of the World Nomad Games is addressed through the study of the mission, as well as the
fundamental principles of the Games. The sources and prerequisites for organizing the Games, their
interrelation with other ethnic sports games and the phenomenon of the Nomad Games have been established.
The research results can be recommended for the organization of other ethnic sports games.

Marttinez-Abellan, A. (2018). Proposal for a didactic unit of Olympic Wrestling: World Wrestling / Propuesta de unidad
didáctica de lucha olímpica: Luchas del Mundo. / Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas, 13, 13-16.
Wrestling is a natural human activity and it is represented in a large number of countries and cultures. In
secondary education, combat sports can help students develop relevant skills and attitudes. Wrestling exercises
develop motor, perceptual and affective capacities, since wrestling is a close contact sport. The objective of this
work was to design a bilingual teaching unit aimed at the secondary education, where wrestling exercises are
used to achieve educational purposes related to learning Olympic Wrestling and fostering situations of
communication in English. The didactic unit, called Luchas del Mundo / World Wrestling, will have a recreational
and integrative character, and will allow students to relate and communicate with their peers in English during the
practical sessions. The didactic unit consists of six sessions, making a journey through different continents and
wrestling styles, and finishing with the Olympic wrestling styles. All sessions will follow a similar scheme, starting
with a general and specific warm up; following with the main part, in which representative wrestling exercises will
be practiced (grips, holds, unbalancing, etc.); and finishing with a cool down, stretches and conclusions. In

22 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 summary, this proposal follows the contents worked in primary education physical education and tries to promote
the practice of Olympic Wrestling in secondary education.

Mata-Ordoñez, F., Sanchez-Oliver, A., & Domínguez-Herrera, R. (2018). Importance of nutrition in weight loss strategies
in combat sports / IMPORTANCIA DE LA NUTRICIÓN EN LAS ESTRATEGIAS DE PÉRDIDA DE PESO EN
DEPORTES DE COMBATE. Journal of Sport & Health Research, 10, 1-12.
The purpose of this study was to establish the nutritional requirements and dietary strategies that can optimize the
performance in combat sports. These include a wide variety of disciplines in which optimal body composition is
required, as well as the development of muscular strength and power, flexibility, and anaerobic capacity
development and aerobic power. For all this, food, hydration and nutrition play an important role in the
development of them. The selection of articles was done by keywords martial arts y wrestling in combination with
rapid weight loss, weight cutting, weigh-in, weight-loss, nutrition, hydration, sport nutrition, supplement, y
ergogenic aids in the Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed and Web of Knowledge databases. In order to achieve optimal
body composition, weight loss programs in combat athletes should be based on a progressive program that seeks
to reduce the fat component (avoiding fast weight loss methods). These athletes should cover an intake of 2
g·kg·day-1 protein and up to 8-10 g·kg·day-1 carbohydrate, with lipid intake being 20-25% of energy intake. In
addition, the athlete can optimize his performance if he realizes a previous hydration plan, during and after the
effort. Providing adequate nutrition to help control performance limiting factors, facilitating good recovery after
workouts and competitions, and helping to create better physiological adaptations for the combat sport
performance is of vital importance.

Meron, A., McMullen, C., Laker, S. R., Currie, D., & Comstock, R. D. (2018). Epidemiology of Cervical Spine Injuries in
High School Athletes Over a Ten-Year Period. PM & R: Journal of Injury, Function & Rehabilitation, 10(4), 365-
372. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.09.003
Background: More than 7 million athletes participate in high school sports annually, with both the benefits of
physical activity and risks of injury. Although catastrophic cervical spine injuries have been studied, limited data
are available that characterize less-severe cervical spine injuries in high school athletes. Objective: To describe
and compare cervical spine injury rates and patterns among U.S. high school athletes across 24 sports over a 10-
year period. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: National sample of high schools participating in the
High School Reporting Information Online injury surveillance system. Participants: Athletes from participating
schools injured in a school sanctioned practice, competition, or performance during the 2005-2006 through 2014-
2015 academic years. Methods: Cervical spine injury data captured by the High School Reporting Information
Online system during the 10-year study period were examined. Cervical spine injury was defined as any injury to
the cervical spinal cord, bones, nerves, or supporting structures of the cervical spine including muscles,
ligaments, and tendons. Main Outcome Measurements: Cervical spine injury rates, diagnoses, mechanisms, and
severities. Results: During the study period, 1080 cervical spine injuries were reported during 35,581,036 athlete
exposures for an injury rate of 3.04 per 100,000 athlete exposures. Injury rates were highest in football (10.10),
wrestling (7.42), and girls' gymnastics (4.95). Muscle injuries were most common (63.1%), followed by nerve
injuries (20.5%). A larger proportion of football injuries were nerve injuries compared with all other sports (injury
proportion ratio 3.31; confidence interval 2.33-4.72), whereas in boys' ice hockey fractures represented a greater
proportion of injuries compared with all other sports (injury proportion ratio 7.64; confidence interval 2.10-27.83).
Overall, the most common mechanisms of injury were contact with another player (70.7%) and contact with
playing surface (16.1%). Conclusions: Cervical spine injury rates and patterns vary by sport and gender.
Characterizing these differences is the first step in developing effective, evidence-based prevention guidelines.

Miarka, B., dal Bello, F., Brito, C. J., & Amtmann, J. (2018). Technical-tactical ratios by round, genders and weight division
of mixed martial arts for training. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(1), 78-89.
This study compared the technical-tactical analysis by time ratios between genders and weight divisions of female
mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Eighty-two athletes
(G1 = 21 male middleweights, G2 = 14 male lightweights, G3 = 21 female middleweights, G4 = 14 female
lightweights), were evaluated using a time-motion and technical-tactical protocol. Four hundred eighty-four males
and 205 female MMA rounds were analysed. Time-motion and technical-tactical variables were evaluated
according to frequency of attempts and effective strikes, takedowns and submissions, as well as fighting activity
time and preparatory of standing and groundwork combat. Comparing groundwork preparatory activity time G1
showed longer times than other groups (35:0 ± 1.8 s; p ≤ .002). For standing fighting activity time, G2 showed
longer times than other groups (151.2 ± 72.9 s; p ≤ .001). G2 displayed longer times between actions during
standing [p = .003; 1: 32.5 (17.8; 74.8)] and groundwork [p ≤ .003; 1: 30.0 (9.0; 52.0)] than G3. In conclusion, G1
and G2 showed longer groundwork and standing actions than G3 and G4. In standing and groundwork actions,
G2 presented longer time between striking actions than G3.

Moen, F., Hrozanova, M., & Stiles, T. (2018). The effects of perceptual-cognitive training with Neurotracker on executive
brain functions among elite athletes. Cogent Psychology, 5(1), 13. doi:10.1080/23311908.2018.1544105

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 23

 The current study tests possible transfer effects from NT 3D MOT training among elite athletes from dynamic
sports on executive brain functions, such as alerting, orienting, executive control, inhibition, shifting and updating.
Sixty athletes from different sports, such as martial arts (boxing and wrestling), handball, soccer, orienteering,
biathlon, alpine skiing, and Paralympic sports (sled hockey, badminton and table tennis), participated in a cross-
over experiment-control group design over a period of 10 weeks. The results in the current study show specific
training effects on training measures used by the NT 3D MOT tool, but no significant transfer effects on the
executive functioning tests. The results are discussed based on the importance of training specificity and the
mental state at the moment of NT 3D MOT training.

Moghaddami, A., Gerek, Z., Karimiasl, A., & Nozohouri, H. (2018). Evaluation of acute dehydration impacts on elite
wrestlers' single-leg takedown technique by 3D motion analysis. Medicina dello sport, 71(1), 1-10.
doi:10.23736/s0025-7826.17.02977-5
BACKGROUND: Weight cutting is a phenomenon that exists in combative weight-class-based sports. Many
athletes with specific weight classifications, such as those in wrestling, judo, and weight lifting, want to participate
in competitions 6-8% below their normal weight. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of weight cutting
by dehydration (sauna) and rehydration on technical skills of wrestling and to create or not create any difference
in biomechanical terms; these differences in the degree of influence was investigated in dehydration (dry sauna)
and rehydration. METHODS: These tests were performed in three phases: pre-test (without dehydration), post-
test 1 (dehydration 3.5%), and post-test 2 (18 hours after rehydration). Thirteen experienced and elite wrestlers
who had been training for eight years participated as subjects (age 18.38 +/- 1.32 years, height 1.70 +/- 0.04 m;
body mass 71.11 +/- 11.80 kg). Reflective body markers were attached to all of the subjects' joints, and they
performed single-leg takedowns in front of three cameras (Hero 3, 15fps/1440 p). Three-dimensional motion
analysis methods that measured linear and angular kinematic characteristics were evaluated by Skillspector
(1.3.2 Version) software. RESULTS: The results showed that rapid weight loss could affect elite wrestlers' skills
and performance of single-leg takedown technique's linear and angular kinematics. Statistical analysis via the
Parametric Repeated Measure Test showed significant differences between the single-leg takedown techniques.
CONCLUSIONS: The finding demonstrated negative effects on shoulders, elbows, wrist, pelvises, knees' and
ankles linear max velocity, position, and angular max velocity.

Mohammadi, M., & Hojjati, S. S. (2018). Investigation of the relationship between male young elite wrestlers' blood and
salivary lactate densities through the application of noninvasive lactate threshold estimation method subsequent
to the effectuation of stationary periodic wrestling-based exercises / Investigação da relação entre o sangue de
lutadores de elite de jovens do sexo masculino e as densidades de lactato salivar por meio da aplicação do
método de estimativa do limiar de lactato não invasivo após a realização de exercícios periódicos de luta livre
estacionários. Revista Brasileira de Nutrição e Esportiva, 12, 867-874.

Mohseninia, K. (2018). Wrestling Techniques. International Journal of Wrestling Science & Sports, 8(1), 88-92.

Morales, J., Ubasart,C. , Solana-Tramunt, M. , Villarrasa-Sapiña, I., González, L., Fukuda, D., Franchini, E. (2018).
Effects of rapid weight loss on balance and reaction time in elite judo athletes. International journal of sports
physiology and performance, 1-21. doi:10.1123/ijspp.2018-0089
Balance, reaction time, and strength are key factors affecting judo performance. While ample research exists
examining potential strength changes caused by weight loss prior to competition, changes in balance and reaction
time, have been overlooked. Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of rapid and
progressive weight loss (RWL and PWL) on balance, reaction time, and strength in a group of elite judo athletes.
Methods: 38 female and male judo athletes (age = 20.6 ± 2.6 years) completed balance, reaction time, and
strength assessments one week prior to an official weigh-in (pre-test) and immediately after the weigh-in (post-
test). The judo athletes were divided into three groups, one control group who maintained regular training and
eating habits, one experimental group who engaged in PWL (<3% reductions in body mass) and a second
experimental group who used RWL techniques (>3% reductions in body mass). Results: RWL group showed
significant decreases (p<0.05) in balance performance (Ellipse area: 4.83±0.87 vs. 6.31±1.39 mm2 with eyes
closed; Mean Mediolateral Velocity: 2.07±0.2 vs. 2.52±0.45 mms-1 with eyes closed; Mean Anteroposterior
Velocity: 2.25±0.20 vs. 2.51±0.32 mms-1 with eyes open and 2.44±0.26 vs. 3.06±0.56 mms-1 with eyes closed)
and reaction time (0.38±0.04 vs. 0.42±0.06 seconds) with no changes in strength from pre- to post-testing. The
judo athletes in the progressive weight loss and control groups maintained performance in all variables.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate negative effects on perceptual motor skill performance in judo athletes
engaging in rapid weight loss strategies prior to competition.

Moskovchenko, O., Ivanitsky, V., Zakharova, L., Tolstopyatov, I., Kattsina, T., Redi, E., . . . Shubin, D. (2018).
Morphofunctional markers of kinetic aptitude in a sport selection system. Journal of Physical Education & Sport,
18(2), 670-676.

24 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 In the article we study morphofunctional markers of sportsmen kinetic aptitude as one of the criteria for sport
selection and sporting achievements prediction. The article contains various renderings of sport selection, shows
its stages as a united system based on the hierarchy principle and targeted approach. It also extends different
scientific views on the young people sporting aptitude detecting. The article reveals separate results of the
diversified long-term research (1965-2016) on the issues of physical and training load optimization in athletes of
various sports taking into consideration their constitutional type (morphofunctional marker). Experimental
materials are proved by high sporting achievements of Greco-Roman wrestlers and speed underwater swimmers.
The study broadens the scientific knowledge about the opportunities of athlete perspective determination by
means of morphofunctional criteria (markers) not only in a particular sport, but at the stage of his specialization.

Mulyar V. I., М., В І]. (2018). Philosophical and educational concept of Plato / ФІЛОСОФСЬКО-ОСВІТНЯ КОНЦЕПЦІЯ
ПЛАТОНА. Philosophical and educational concept of Plato. (131), 195-199.
The article actualises the philosophical and educational concept of Plato as one of the most prominent models of
teaching and upbringing of the Greek society. The organic connection of the educational and philosophical views
of Plato with his general philosophical doctrine, in particular, of reference prototypes, which are eternal and non-
transformational, remaining perfect in all their manifestations, and therefore unattainable in their perfection for any
of their own real, terrestrial, objective prototypes, is substantiated. Thus, the soul is substantiated as the eternal
essence of the person and the process of human cognition as a reminder of the soul of what she saw when
walking alongside God and ascended to true existence. In the essence of the philosophical and educational
paradigm of Plato - the formation of a citizen of a perfect state as the cultivation of the highest virtues: wisdom,
courage, restraint and justice; education and upbringing under the control of the state. The essence of
kalokagathia as a moral beauty of a citizen of the ancient Greek society is revealed. Two main parts of education
and upbringing: gymnastic and musical ones are highlighted. The role and place of dance and wrestling as the
rods of gymnastic education, as well as the basic samples of musical education is uncovered. An exceptional
state monopoly on education and upbringing, and therefore the class nature of the Platonic philosophical and
educational concept is shown.

Murray, S. B., Accurso, E. C., Griffiths, S., & Nagata, J. M. (2018). Boys, biceps, and bradycardia: the hidden dangers of
muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(3), 352-355.
doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.09.025
The recognition of eating disorders (EDs) in males represents an ongoing challenge for physicians. This
challenge is particularly complex in the case of EDs that are oriented toward muscularity, as opposed to thinness,
which current diagnostic criteria do not accommodate. Nevertheless, EDs in males, and muscularity-oriented
disordered eating (MODE) in particular, are increasingly prevalent and are likely to be encountered in clinical
practice. We report the case of a 16-year-old male who presented with medical instability, requiring
hospitalization, in the context of MODE. Importantly, this patient did not meet formal diagnostic criteria for a
specific ED, and behavioral symptoms were deemed goal oriented in the context of high school wrestling pursuits.
This case highlights the challenges of identifying MODE and the medical risks associated therein. Pediatricians
are encouraged to screen for MODE in adolescent males reporting body image concerns

Myagkova, M. A., Petrochenko, S. N., & Morozova, V. S. (2018). Detection of natural antibodies to endogenous
bioregulators for the diagnostics of the functional state of the body. Russian Chemical Bulletin, 67(4), 762-767.
doi:10.1007/s11172-018-2134-3
An immunological method for the detection of natural antibodies (NAb) to endogenous bioregulators (β-endorphin,
orphanin, angiotensin, serotonin, dopamine, histamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate) has been
developed for the evaluation of the functional state of the human body. The antibody level was determined at
various stages of exercises during the period of sport training. A relationship was established between the change
in the NAb level and the increased training load or the duration of exercises. The difference in the NAb levels for
athletes specializing in Greco-Roman wrestling, soccer, and hockey was established. The initially high values for
orphanin, GABA, and glutamate were found in hockey players, while these indicators in wrestlers were
dynamically increased during the training process. Immunological indicators for soccer players were close to the
physiologically normal ones and were similar to the parameters of people engaged in sports and recreational
gymnastics. It was demonstrated that the diagnostic tests for the detection of natural antibodies to the listed
biomolecules could have a practical application to evaluate the effectiveness of the functional state of the human
body.

Nishimaki, M., & Sakamoto, S. (2018). Effect of obesity-related gene polymorphisms on weight loss of female wrestlers.
Archives of Budo, 14, 117-123.
Background and Study Aim: Many wrestlers undergo extreme dieting, with rapid weight loss and fluid restriction,
to achieve rule weight as measured before a match. Insight into the genetics of weight loss has been gained from
studies of patients with lifestyle-related diseases, including obesity and diabetes, who show weight loss resistance
in the face of therapeutic interventions such as diet and exercise. However, the effect of single nucleotide

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 25

 polymorphisms (SNPs) in obesity-related genes on the rapid weight loss that athletes experience in weight-class
sports such as wrestling remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was the effect of SNPs in ADRB3,
ADRB2, and UCP1 on rapid weight loss in female wrestlers. Material and Methods: Twenty-two female wrestlers
who sought weight loss before a match participated in this study. We performed real-time polymerase chain
reaction using a quenching probe to determine subject genotypes. Results: Thirteen subjects had the ADRB3
(Trp/Trp) wild-type genotype, whereas 9 had the ADRB3 (Trp/Arg) polymorphic genotype. Five subjects had the
ADRB2 (Arg/Arg) genotype, and 17 had the ADRB2 (Arg/Gly) polymorphic genotype. Five subjects had the UCP1
(-3826A/A) genotype, and 17 had the UCP1 (-3829A/G) polymorphic genotype. No statistically significant
associations were detected between genotypes of obesity-related genes with any of the weight loss indicators
measured. Conclusions: SNPs in the obesity-related genes ADRB3, ADRB2, and UCP1 do not appear to affect
weight loss in female wrestlers during rapid weight loss regimens prior to a match.

Noh, J. W., Yang, S. M., Kim, J. H., Lee, J. U., Kim, M. Y., Lee, L. K., . . . Kim, J. (2018). Somatotype analysis of Korean
combat sport athletes based on weight divisions. Archives of Budo, 14, 169-178.
Background and Study Aim: It is well established that somatotypes are defined by the physical characteristics of
the body. However, the somatotype results of Korean combat sport athletes have not yet been established. The
purpose of study was the somatotype of Korean combat sport athletes based on body weight divisions and
physical characteristics in relations the practice of training and sport rehabilitation. Material and Methods: This
study consisted of 40 judo, 32 ssireum, 31 taekwondo (gyorugi), 20 taekwondo (poomsae), 23 boxing, and 13
wrestling elite athletes. The participants were divided into four weight divisions: light weight (-55 to -74 kg), middle
weight (-75 to -94 kg), heavy weight (-95 to -114 kg), and super heavy weight (+ 115 kg). Somatotypes
measurements were performed using a Heath and Carter's modified somatotype method. Results: Ssireum
athletes had higher endomorphic and mesomorphic characteristic values and lower ectomorphic characteristics
compared to other athletes. Somatotype component values for judo and wrestling athletes were similar. Gyorugi
athletes had higher ectomorphic values than other athletes and were taller. Values of all components among the
poomsae athletes were balanced. Boxing athletes had the same endomorphic and ectomorphic values and higher
mesomorphic characteristic values. Differences between the sports were more significant in the lower-and middle-
weight categories compared to the heavy-and super-heavy-weight categories. For all combat sports, higher
weight divisions included higher endomorphic and mesomorphic values and lower ectomorphic values compared
to lower weight categories. Correlations between endomorphic characteristics and body weight were significant
among all athletes except for gyorugi athletes. Correlations between mesomorphic characteristics and body
weight were significant among judo, ssireum, boxing, and wrestling athletes, but taekwondo athletes did not show
any correlation. The correlation between ectomorphic characteristics and body weight were significantly negative
among judo, ssireum, gyorugi, boxing, and wrestling athletes and negative among poomsae athletes.
Conclusions: Almost all combat sport athletes have mesomorph body types except for taekwondo athletes, and
the somatotypes of athletes were influenced by the type of sport and weight divisions. Therefore, injured or
ahead-of-the-game elite combat athletes require different methods of rehabilitation and training based on sport
type and body weight, and further studies are required to assist in proper training for athletes returning from injury
and to aid in sport rehabilitation.

Nonga Nonga, J. B., & Bienvenu, B. (2018). Cameroonian Wrestlers at the Olympic Games and World Championships
From 1980 to 2016. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(1), 83-87.
The study aims to show the incidence of participation of Cameroonian wrestlers in international events (Olympics
Games and World championships) in the development of Olympic wrestling styles in Cameroon, and the level of
Cameroonian wrestler’s performances. The Cameroonian wrestlers participating in Olympic and world
championships from 1980 to 2016 were identified through the use of the United World Wrestling (UWW)
Database. The main results show that: The rate of participation of Cameroonian wrestlers in international events
is just an indicator (between many others) of the development of Olympics wrestling styles in Cameroon. Due to
many factors, the participation of Cameroonian wrestlers in the Olympic Games and world championships
between 1980 and 2016, cannot gauge the performance level of Cameroonians wrestlers reliably, but it enables
us to see the increasing participation of Cameroonian female wrestlers in international competition, and also the
lagging participation of Cameroonian male wrestlers (freestyle and Greco-Roman).

Osipov, A. Y., Guralev, V. M., Kudryavtsev, M. D., Kamoza, T. L., & Kuzmin, V. A. (2018). Development of the ability to
maintain body balance in dynamic conditions in beginning sambo wrestlers aged 11-12. Human Sport Medicine,
18(4), 88-94. doi:10.14529/hsm180413
Aim. The article deals with searching effective methods for the development of balance abilities and maintenance
of body balance in young sambo wrestlers. Materials and methods. 28 young sambo wrestlers aged 11-12
participated in the study. All wrestlers belong to weight categories of 46 and 50 kg. The study lasted 1 year. In the
training of wrestlers from the experimental group we introduced sets of exercises, contributing to the development
of balance abilities and maintenance of body balance. Wrestlers performed these exercises at least 20 minutes
during each lesson. To assess balance abilities in static and dynamic conditions, we used the following tests:

26 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 Stork, balance maintenance on an unstable surface (Board), movement test with rolls, certain wrestling elements
(one leg throw). We performed statistical processing of the results using Mann-Whitney U-test. Results. Stroke
and Board tests did not reveal any significant differences between groups. In dynamic tests (rolls, throws), we
revealed a significant (p < 0.01) difference in the experimental group. Conclusion. The study demonstrates that
targeted exercises may influence substantially the development of balance abilities in young sambo wrestlers. To
achieve positive results, it is necessary to perform these exercises at least 20 minutes every day.

Paiziev, A. (2018). Dorsiflexor Muscle Oxygenation During Isometric Contraction. International Journal of Wrestling
Science, 8(2), 43-48.
Sustained isometric contractions of skeletal muscles produce intramuscular pressures that leads to blood flow
restriction. In result an active muscle sustains deficit of oxygen and muscle fatigue. On another side during
exercise we have physiological contradiction between raising of oxygen demand by working muscle and
restriction of blood flow due to vessel pressing. To clarify this issue much research has been performed based
mainly on measurement of blood flow in muscle tissue. The purpose of this study was to assess real-time
changes in muscle oxygenation during a sustained isometric contraction of the dorsiflexor muscle with low (30%),
moderate (60%) and submaximal (90%) intensity. Experiments were conducted using the subject’s dominant leg.
Volunteers was recruited from eight male students of USIPC (age: 19±2 years, weight: 75±6 kg). Tissue
oxygenation index (StO2) were recorded from the tibialis anterior using Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device
(Nonin Medical Inc, Plymouth, Minnesota, USA). Saturation was higher at 30% compared with both 60% and 90%
MVC at all time points after the start of exercise and higher at 60% than 90%. Oxygen consumption (VO2)
permanently increased from slow (30%) to moderate (60%) and submaximal contractions. After cessation of each
contraction there was a large and immediate hyperemic response. Rate of StO2 increase after effort cessation
reflects the resaturation of hemoglobin which depend on integrity and functionality of the vascular system and
reflects blood vessel vasodilation. StO2 resaturation rate permanently increased from slow (30%) to moderate
(60%) and submaximal contractions. At last in final stage of the experiment arterial
occlusion test was performed to determine the minimal oxygen saturation value in the dorsiflexors. Oxygen
saturation reached 24±1.77% and was significantly higher than StO2 after 60 and 90% MVC. It can be concluded
that oxygen saturations at 60% and 90% MVC are similar and sharply decreased after the start of exercise. It
means that after a 60% MVC takes place, there is an occlusion of blood vessels due to intramuscular pressure.
Oxygen consumption of active muscle increased depending on the intensity of exertion according to increasing of
oxygen demand. StO2 resaturation rate (RE) permanently increased from
slow (30%) to moderate (60%) and to submaximal contractions. The RE increase after exercise cessation reflects
the resaturation of hemoglobin, which depends on the integrity and functionality of the vascular system and
reflects blood vessel vasodilation.

Papassotiriou, I., & Nifli, A.P. (2018). Assessing performance in pre-season wrestling athletes using biomarkers.
Biochemia Medica, 28(2), 1-11. doi:10.11613/BM.2018.020706
Introduction: Although regular training introduces the desired changes in athletes' metabolism towards optimal
final performance, literature is rarely focusing on the metabolic responses off-competition. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to evaluate biochemical indices during typical preseason training in wrestling athletes. Materials
and methods: Twenty male freestyle and Greco-roman wrestlers (14 to 31 years) followed a typical session of the
preparatory phase. Capillary blood glucose and lactate concentrations were assessed immediately before and
after training. Protein, microalbumin, creatinine and their ratio were estimated the next day in the first morning
urine. Results: Pre-training lactate concentrations were lower in Greco-roman than in freestyle wrestlers (1.8 (1.4
- 2.1) vs. 2.9 (2.1 - 3.1) mmol/L). Exertion resulted in a significant increase in lactate concentrations, by 3.2 (2.6 -
4.1) mmol/L in Greco-roman wrestlers and 4.5 (3.4 - 5.3) mmol/L in freestylers. These changes were found to
correlate with athlete's sport experience (rs = 0.71, P < 0.001). Glucose concentrations were also significantly
increased by 0.5 (0.1 - 0.8) mmol/L, in correlation with lactate change (rs = 0.49, P = 0.003). Twelve subjects
exhibited urine albumin concentrations at 30 mg/L, and thirteen creatinine concentrations around 17.7 mmol/L.
The corresponding ratio was found abnormal in 4 cases, especially when creatinine excretion and body fat were
low. Conclusions: Wrestling training is associated with mobilization of both lactic and alactic anaerobic energy
systems. The regular comprehensive monitoring of biochemical markers would be advantageous in determining
the efficiency of the preparatory phase and the long-term physiological adaptations towards the competition
phase, or athlete's overtraining

Polat, S. C., Bulgay, C., Yarim, I., Cicioglu, H. I., & Cetin, E. (2018). Analysis of the Relationship between Elite Wrestlers'
Leg Strength and Balance Performance, and Injury History. Sports, 6(2), 6. doi:10.3390/sports6020035
The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between leg power and balance performance in elite
wrestlers and injury history. In the research group, there are 18 elite freestyle male wrestlers at the ages of 24.27
+/- 3.18 years, with a height of 171.86 +/- 5.44 cm and a body weight of 79.27 +/- 11.16 kg. Information on the
injury history of the athletes' upper legs for the past year was collected via interviews with the club's
physiotherapist. Laboratory tests to measure performance assessed height, body weight, Y balance and isokinetic

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 27

 leg strength. Data obtained from the study are presented as mean and standard deviation. The test of normality
was carried out by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Pearson Correlation Test was performed for all parameters with
normal distribution, and significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. It was found that there is a relationship
between the wrestlers' right leg ratio and hamstring strength and injury history. However, there is no statistically
significant relationship between left leg hamstring, quadriceps, ratio, right leg quadriceps, or right and left leg
balance performance, and injury history. The resulting data shows that the proportioning between hamstring and
quadriceps muscles in freestyle wrestlers' upper leg strength values is not ideal. This finding provides evidence
that injury risk increases with the additional impact of loss of strength.

Polat, S. C., Cetin, E., Yarim, I., Bulgay, C., & Cicioglu, H. I. (2018). Effect of Ballistic Warm-up on Isokinetic Strength,
Balance, Agility, Flexibility and Speed in Elite Freestyle Wrestlers. Sport Mont, 16(3), 85-89.
The aim of this study is effect of ballistic warm-up on isokinetic strength, balance and some parameters in male
elite freestyle wrestlers. Thirteen elite freestyle wrestlers at the age of 20.15±2.11 yrs, with 174.54±7.14 cm height
and 81.67±15.36 kg weight participated in the study. Measurements were performed two different warm-up
protocols. Running protocol at submaximal level on the treadmill for 10 minutes was applied for every wrestler.
Ballistic Warm-up protocol involved 13 different movements for multi-muscle groups lasting for 10 minutes.
Flexibility, speed, agility, balance, hand grip and isokinetic leg strength parameters were measured. Wilcoxon
Signed Rank test was performed to find the difference between the protocols. Consequently, differences were
found in flexibility, right hand grip strength, right posteromedial and posterolateral balance, left posteromedial and
posterolateral balance, left and right hamstring and quadriceps strength parameters. Ballistic warm-up protocol
can be more effective in many parameters, especially strength compared to ordinary warm-up.

Pons, V., Riera, J., Capó, X., Martorell, M., Sureda, A., Tur, J. A., . . . Pons, A. (2018). Calorie restriction regime enhances
physical performance of trained athletes. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15, 1-1.
Background: Caloric restriction induces mitochondrial biogenesis and improves physical fitness in rodents. We
aimed to provide evidence of how caloric restriction affects the body composition and physical performance of
trained athletes and to evaluate the possible impact of an every-other-day feeding diet on nutritional deficiencies
of micronutrients and essential fatty acids. Methods: The study was performed with 12 healthy male athletes by
carrying out a 33% caloric restriction with respect to their usual diet. Athletes performed a maximal exercise
stress test both before and after the caloric restriction period. Blood samples were taken before and after the
caloric restriction at basal conditions and 30 min post-exercise. Although energy intake was reduced by about
33%, the contribution of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids to total energy intake during the caloric restriction was
similar to the original diet. Results: The caloric restriction reduced the daily specific micronutrient intake to values
lower than 90% of recommended dietary allowances. No effects were observed in blood parameters related to
iron metabolism and tissue damage, glucose levels, lipid profiles, or erythrocyte fatty acid composition. In
addition, oxidative damage markers decreased after the nutritional intervention. The caloric restriction intervention
significantly reduced body weight and trunk, arm, and leg weights; it also caused a decrease in fat and lean body
mass, the energy expenditure rate when performing a maximal exercise stress test, and the energy cost to run
one meter at various exercise intensities. Furthermore, the intervention ameliorated the onset of the anaerobic
phase of exercise. Conclusion: A caloric restriction improves athletes’ performance and energy efficiency, but
reduces the daily intake of micronutrients; so, when caloric restriction programs are implemented micronutrient
supplementation should be considered.

Rahmani, A., & Mirzaei, B. (2018). The Acute Effects of Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow and Respiratory Restriction
on Blood Lactate and Growth Hormone in Collegiate Wrestler. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2),
30-35.
Resistance activity with new methods of exercise such as blood flow and respiration restriction has been
performed at a lower intensity in pursuing various physiological responses. The main purpose of this research
was to study the effect of blood flow and respiratory restriction on blood lactate concentration and growth
hormone in the acute response to resistance exercise in collegiate wrestlers. A counter- balanced design was
used in which 8 collegiate wrestlers (mean age 26.87±4.7 years and body mass index 25.26±2.49 kg/m2) were
randomly assigned in three conditions including: control (80%1RM) and resistance exercise with blood flow and
respiratory restriction (30%1RM). Four sets of squats were used as the resistance exercise. Blood samples were
collected before and immediately after exercise. The data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA using
SPSS software (version 19) with a significance level of p <0.05. All three types of exercise caused a significant
increase in lactate and growth hormone immediately after the exercise, but no significant difference was observed
between the groups. The results of this study indicated that resistance exercise with restriction of blood flow and
respiration can lead to increased metabolic and hormonal responses. This research also confirms the
effectiveness of this type of exercise and satisfies the goals expected from high intensity exercises.

Reale, R., Slater, G., & Burke, L. M. (2018). Weight Management Practices of Australian Olympic Combat Sport Athletes.
International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 13(4), 459-466.

28 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 Purpose: Combat sport athletes undertake chronic and rapid weight loss (RWL) practices to qualify for weight
divisions lower than their training weight. Variation between sports in the prevalence, methods, and magnitude of
weight loss as well as recovery practices may be influenced by factors including competition level and culture.
Differences in methodologies of previous research in combat sports make direct comparisons difficult; thus, this
study aimed to examine weight loss practices among all Olympic combat sports in Australia, using standardized
methodology. Methods: High-caliber competitors in wrestling, boxing, judo, and taekwondo (n = 260) at Australian
competitions were surveyed using a validated tool that provides quantification of how extreme an athlete's weight
loss practices are: the rapid weight loss score (RWLS). Additional qualitative and quantitative survey data were
also collected. Results: Neither sport, sex, nor weight division group had an effect on RWLS; however, a
significant effect of athlete caliber was detected (F2,215 = 4.953, mean square error = 4.757, P = .00792).
Differences between sports were also evident for most weight ever lost in order to compete (H = 19.92, P =
.0002), age at which weight cutting began (H = 16.34, P = .001), and selected methods/patterns of RWL (P <
.001). Weight cycling between competitions was common among all sports as were influences on athlete's
behaviors. Conclusions: Although many similarities in weight loss practices and experiences exist between
combat sports, specific differences were evident. Nuanced, context/culturally specific guidelines should be
devised to assist fighters' in optimizing performance while minimizing health implications.

Rizzo, N. (2018). Post-Pubertal Transitioned Male-to-Female Transgender Athletes in Professional

Combat Arts Sports: Athletic Advantage or Not? International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(1), 13-21.
Much has been written about transgender athletes in combat sports recently, particularly in MMA. In this literature,
there are two primary questions. 1) Does a post-pubertal male-to- female transgender athlete have an advantage
in combat sports? 2) When considering transgender participation in sports, should combat arts be considered
different than other sports?

Robertson, P. J., Callan, M., Nevison, C., & Timmis, M. A. (2018). Is visual search strategy different between level of judo
coach when acquiring visual information from the preparation phase of judo contests? International Journal of
Sports Science & Coaching, 13(2), 186-200.
Judo contests are complex situations for coaches observing them. Identifying where judo coaches look (i.e. their
visual search strategy) when observing contests can help identify visual information they may use to inform
coaching decisions. The current exploratory study investigated the visual search strategies of elite, sub-elite, and
non-judo coaches when observing the preparation phase (viewed from video footage) of elite-level judo contests.
Participants' eye movements were recorded using a mobile eye-tracker. Participants were instructed to provide
verbal coaching instructions to improve a specified judoka's (judo athlete) performance at set times during the
footage. Elite coaches fixated significantly more frequently and longer on the specified judoka's upper body
(p < 0.05) compared to the opponent's upper body and other key areas within the display. Sub-elite and non-judo
coaches demonstrated no significant difference in the frequency or overall length of fixation between the judokas'
upper bodies. The visual search strategy of elite judo coaches may have been a purposeful attempt to obtain
accurate information about the judoka's attacking intentions early within the contest. This visual search strategy
can be attributed to elite judokas' attempting to disguise their attacking intentions. Furthermore, elite coaches may
have used the specified judoka's upper body as a visual pivot.

Rossi, A., Claiborne, T., & Fetter, J. (2018). Preventing Sudden Death in a Competitive Athlete: A Case Report.
International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training, 23(3), 124-127.
A 19-year-old male collegiate wrestler was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease and aortic insufficiency
due to the presence of an aortic-ventricular tunnel. The athlete underwent an electrocardiogram, transthoracic
echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, as well as a diagnostic ultrasound of his carotid arteries and
abdominal aorta in order to diagnose this underlying structural abnormality. This diagnosis resulted in the athlete
being disqualified for the remainder of the wrestling season and undergoing open-heart surgery to repair his
bicuspid aortic valve. This case study will explain the events surrounding the recognition of this disease as well as
advocate for the use of cardiac screening in preparticipation exams (PPEs). It is imperative that we implement
more advanced diagnostic testing in the PPEs of young athletes in order to diagnose underlying structural heart
abnormalities that may lead to sudden cardiac death.

Ruggiano, J. (2018). Wrestling diplomacy: how one sport is teaching the world how to fight for unity. International Journal
of Wrestling Science, 8(1), 1-3.

SanİoğLu, A., Taniş, Z. S., Akandere, M., ÜLker, M., KocaoğLu, Y., & Pektaş, N. A. (2018). The relationship between
anxiety and life satisfaction in the U23 category wrestlers. Ovidius University Annals, Series Physical Education &
Sport/Science, Movement & Health, 18, 240-245.
Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between the anxiety and life satisfaction of the
wrestlers of the national team level in the U23 category. Method of research: A total of 100 national male

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 29

 wrestlers volunteered to participate in the survey, including 50 Greco-Roman styles and 50 Freestyle styles,
which involved participants in the national team level. Continuous anxiety scale and life satisfaction scale were
applied to the subjects in the survey. A correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between
participants' level of trait anxiety and life satisfaction, and independent sample t test was used in intergroup
comparisons. Results: There was no statistically significant relationship between life satisfaction and trait anxiety
levels of the participants (r = 0,164, p = 0,101). According to the analysis result, T-Test there was no statistically
significant difference between the average of the Grecoroman wrestlers and the free style wrestlers' continuous
anxiety (t (97.195) = 1.797, p = 0.563) (t (92.637) = - 2.259, p = 0.026) were found to be higher than the free stille
with the scores of Grecoroman life satisfaction of the wrestlers. Conclusion: As a result, in studying the
relationship between the anxiety and the life satisfaction of the wrestlers of the national team level in the U23
category, it was seen that the life satisfaction of the Grecoroman wrestlers were higher than the free style
wrestlers, where the trait anxiety levels of participants were similar. A

Saryg, S. K., Lopsan, A.D., & Buduk-ool, L.K. (2018). Tuvan junior males’ heart rhythm control specifics under variable
physical loads. ОСОБЕННОСТИ РЕГУЛЯЦИИ СЕРДЕЧНОГО РИТМА ТУВИНСКИХ ЮНОШЕЙ С
РАЗЛИЧНОЙ ДВИГАТЕЛЬНОЙ АКТИВНОСТЬЮ ПРИ ФИЗИЧЕСКОЙ НАГРУЗКЕ. / Teoria i praktika fiziceskoj
kul'tury(1), 49-52.
The study analyses the Tuvan junior males’ (17-21 years old) heart rate variability data versus varied physical
workloads. High education and training workloads were profiled versus the environmental, anthropometrical,
psychic, physiological and ethnic factors and specifics that give the reasons to consider the study innovative. The
study sample was dominated by the junior males classified with Autonomic Control Types (ACT) I and III. The
ACT I junior males were tested with generally lower variations in the cardiovascular system test rates versus the
ACT II juniors. The high physical workloads were responded by the sample by the autonomous control
strengthening and growing activity of the central control contour with the further growth of the workload. Physically
inactive junior group responded to the workloads (regardless of the load factor), by growing activity of the central
control contour that may be interpreted as the unspecific component of the adaptive response to different
stressors. The ACT I/ II junior males engaged in body conditioning practices, ACT III volleyball players and ACT I/
III wrestlers were tested with fairly high HR variability. The body conditioning junior group and ACT I wrestling
group was tested with the increased adaptive abilities; and the volleyball players and physically inactive juniors
were tested with the HR variability within the conditional norm. The body conditioning group, volleyball group and
ACT III wrestling group were tested with notably increased adaptation abilities; and the physically inactive junior
group was tested with a vegetative imbalance as a result of the high physical loads.

Sasaki, M., Asamoto, S., Umegaki, M., & Matsumoto, K. (2018). Cervical osteogenic degeneration in Japanese
professional wrestlers and its relationship to cervical spine injury. Journal of Neurosurgery-Spine, 29(6), 622-627.
doi:10.3171/2018.5.spine18283
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of cervical degeneration in Japanese professional
wrestlers and its relationship with the risk of cervical spine injury (CSI). METHODS Since 2012, 27 Japanese
male wrestlers belonging to a professional wrestling association have undergone periodical medical examinations
of the cervical spine. If neurological symptoms were observed in the wrestlers, the resident trainers urged them to
undergo a brief examination at the authors' institutions. In addition to this prospective research study, the
mechanisms of the CSIs that occurred in 5 wrestlers, including 2 with CSI before 2012 and 3 who were
independent from the professional wrestling association, were retrospectively investigated by reviewing the
circumstances of the injury and the wrestlers' imaging studies. RESULTS The mean age of the wrestlers was 36.9
years (range 23-56 years) at the initial examination. An anterior giant ossifying lesion (AGOL) was observed in the
anterior aspect of the cervical spine of 11 wrestlers (41%). The AGOLs tended to grow and spread to multiple
spinal levels as the wrestlers aged. Of the 12 wrestlers with osteogenic lesions, 10 older than 40 years of age
(83%) had an AGOL, which is frequently accompanied by osseous spinal canal stenosis. Two wrestlers presented
with spinal cord compression with intramedullary intensity change on MRI. However, during the follow-up period,
no spinal cord injury (SCI) occurred in the wrestlers, although thoracolumbar injury occurred in 2 wrestlers during
a match. In examining the 5 wrestlers with CSI, the injury occurred at the spinal levels without an AGOL. The
most frequent pathology of CSI (60%) was SCI at the spinal level adjacent to the multilevel AGOL.
CONCLUSIONS AGOL is a peculiar cervical degeneration of Japanese professional wrestlers, especially in aged
wrestlers. The AGOL appears to be a biological reaction to reinforce the anterior aspect of the cervical spine of
professional wrestlers, who routinely defend themselves in a flexed neck posture against their opponent. The
present results suggest that the risk of CSI is not increased by spinal canal stenosis accompanied by AGOL.
Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between the wrestlers' cervical degeneration and the
risk of CSI in more detail.

Savranbaşı, R. (2018). In Memorium: A Tribute to Daniel Robin. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2), 49-50.

Sawyer, T. H. (2018). Female Wrestler Fights for Gender Equality. Interscholastic Athletic Administration, 44(3), 51-51.

30 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

Sawyer, T. H. (2018). Wrestler's Sign Language Interpreter Denied Access to Wrestling Circle. Interscholastic Athletic
Administration, 44(4), 47-47.

Sharma, D., & Malhotra, I. (2018). Deconstructing Gender Binaries: Representations in Select Bollywood Movies.
Language in India, 18(4), 49-64.
The present paper examines a paradigm shift in the stereotypical gender roles in two Bollywood movies, focusing
upon their deconstruction of gender binaries. NH10 traces the evolution of a professional independent woman
who after the death of her husband takes the "agency" into her hands and becomes an agent of change. She not
only avenges the murder of her husband but also tries to bring justice in the highly regressive patriarchal rural
setup. Dangal deals with the real life story of Phogat family, a family of wrestlers belonging to Haryana, India. It
presents the successful attempt made by Mahvir Singh Phogat, a masculine man. Breaking the gender
stereotypes, he trains his daughters in a masculine game, wrestling. The paper will analyse how sex, gender and
sexuality may be popularly perceived as joined, but they are "politically textualized and constructed." It will make
an attempt to use Judith Butler's theory of "Undoing Gender" to break the artificial binaries and to further establish
that sex, gender and sexuality is a construction and is not stable.

Sholdubanov H. Yu. [Шолдубанов, Х. Ю. (2018). The study of the functional indicators of wrestlers after various loads. /
ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ ПОКАЗАТЕ&#1051. GILEYA(132), 308-311.
The article covers preparation of wrestlers training load and etc. in wrestling.

Silva, V., Dias, C., Corte-Real, N., & Fonseca, A. M. (2018). Mental toughness in Judo: perceptions of coaches /
Características de força psicológica no Judo: percepções de treinadores. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas,
13(1), 1-19.
The aim of this research was to explore coaches' perceptions about mental toughness characteristics in
competitive Judo, in light of current single-sport mental toughness literature. Nine Portuguese Judo coaches from
different levels of achievement (non-elite, subelite and elite) were interviewed. The protocol used for semi-
structured interviews was based on Personal Construct Psychology "sociality" and "dichotomy" corollaries (Kelly,
1991). A total of 162 verbatim transcribed pages resulted as raw data. Properties and dimensions of the
conceptual categories emerged from the data. Inductive content analysis revealed 22 attributes of mental
toughness. Only eight were mentioned by all participants: resilience, self motivation, self-confidence, self-
improvement, work discipline, attention regulation, emotional regulation and competitiveness. In reference to
previous researches exploring mental toughness on a single sport, our results in Judo reinforced large similarities
across sports. However, slight differences were discussed in relation to three mental toughness characteristics
not previously identified in literature: combativity, self-esteem and adaptability. In addition, other attributes were
found to be peculiar to Judo, but not exclusive, due to its form of expression: tactical awareness, combativity and
self-presentation regulation. Combativity was the only attribute that stood out as being rather peculiar to Judo.

Silvey, D., Buote, R., Janes, I., Donovan, C., & Dubrowski, A. (2018). Peer Review: The Impacts of an Olympic Wrestling
Program on the Academic Achievements, Physical Health and Overall Well-being of a 13- Year-Old Indigenous
Youth. Physical & Health Education Journal, 84(1), 4-4.
Youth living in Indigenous communities across Canada have shown to have lower levels of physical health and
wellbeing than their non- Indigenous peers. An expanding body of research suggests that physical activity can
have a positive impact on physical health and overall wellbeing. This case study was designed as a view into the
change evident in one young woman (age 13) during her journey through an Olympic wrestling program
implemented in her Indigenous community. Several tests were conducted with the participant, along with an
interview with the participant & the participant's guardian and a review of her school physical education grades.
The interview focused primarily on how participation has impacted the youth's life. Results suggest that increases
in physical activity through participation in the Olympic wrestling program has led to improvements in physical
education grades, physical and, as it appears, overall wellbeing. Findings may be helpful to Indigenous
communities who wish to start their own programs and to other professionals interested in working in these sport
environments.

Şİrİnyeliz, E., & Döşyilmaz, E. (2018). Analyzing loneliness and life satisfaction of wrestlers registered to Turkey Olympic
preparation center / TÜRKİYE OLİMPİYAT HAZIRLIK MERKEZİ (TOHM PROJESİ) KAPSAMINDAKİ
GÜREŞÇİLERİN YALNIZLIK VE YAŞAM DOYUMLARININ İNCELENMESİ. Journal of Physical Education &
Sports Science / Beden Egitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(2), 119-127.
The aim of this study is to identify the loneliness and life satisfaction of wrestlers registered to Turkey Olympics
Preparation Center (TOPC Project) and understand how it is affected by demographic variables. Data collected
from 40 wrestlers selected from various cities of Turkey and already being trained in Olympics preparation center.

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 31

 During the collection of research data; "UCLA Loneliness Scale" which developed by Russell, Peplau & Cutrona
(1980)) and translated into Turkish by Demir (1989), and ""The Satisfaction Scale" which developed by Diener,
Emmons, Larsen and Griffin (1985) and translated into Turkish by Yetim (1991) were used. T-test and ANOVA
analysis used to understand how loneliness and life satisfaction level of these sportsmen changes according to
some demographic variables. To understand the relation between sportsmen loneliness and life satisfaction
levels, Pearson correlation analysis is used. The results show that, loneliness and life satisfaction of sportsmen
have no statistically significant difference with education, marital status, family type, age, birth place, date of
performing sports variables; while statistically significant difference found between the achievements of
sportsmen and loneliness and life satisfaction. Positive and medium level relation found between loneliness and
life satisfaction. According to the findings of the analysis, loneliness level of wrestlers contributed to the study is
found to be medium, while life satisfaction level is high.

Slimani, M., Paravlic, A. H., Chaabene, H., Davis, P., Chamari, K., & Cheour, F. (2018). Hormonal responses to striking
combat sports competition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biology of Sport, 35(2), 121-136.
Striking combat sports are challenging, commonly stressing the endocrinological system based on a mixture of
body-contact actions and physiological efforts. The aims of this systematic review and meta analysis were to
discuss the hormonal responses related to striking combat sports competitions and to investigate the moderator
and mediator variables of the hormonal response-competition/outcome relationship. Three electronic databases
(i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched (up to February 2016) followed
by a manual search of retrieved papers. The data showed a moderate increase in cortisol (C) (ES = 0.79; 95% CI
0.31-1.28; p = 0.001), an extremely large increase in adrenaline (ES = 4.22; 95% CI 2.62-5.82; p < 0.001), and a
very large increase in noradrenaline (ES = 3.40; 95% CI 1.03-5.76; p = 0.005) and human growth hormone (HGH)
levels (ES = 3.69; 95% CI 1.96-5.42; p < 0.001) immediately following the combat events, compared to the control
condition i.e., "pre-combat". Furthermore, amateur athletes had a larger increase in C levels compared to highly
trained athletes (ES = 2.91 [very large] vs ES = 0.56 [small]), while evening events showed greater alterations in
C levels compared to morning events (ES = 1.91 [large] vs ES = 0.48 [small]), without significant differences
between them (p = 0.26 and p = 0.06, respectively). The present meta-analysis also showed a small, insignificant
increase in testosterone (T) (ES = 0.47 [small]; 95% CI -0.45-0.99; p = 0.074) and a decrease in insulin-like
growth factor 1 levels (ES = -0.20 [trivial]; 95% CI -0.78-0.37; p = 0.486) immediately following the combat events,
compared to the control condition. The type of combat sports practised, participants' gender, and the nature of
competition contests (i.e., official vs simulation) did not moderate the relationship between competition and
hormonal response. Additionally, sub-analysis results showed a significant difference between younger and older
athletes (Q = 4.05, p = 0.044), suggesting that after combat, younger individuals (less than 17 years of age) had a
small decrease in T levels (ES = -0.58), compared with the moderate increase observed in older individuals (ES =
0.76). In conclusion, irrespective of striking combat sports types, the results showed that both official and
simulated bouts are a real stressor of the hormonal system of practitioners. Coaches and applied practitioners
should adopt "pre-competitive cognitive/coping strategies" to improve the psychological state that mediates the
hormonal changes-competition/outcome relationship of their athletes in order to mitigate athletes' stress.

Slimani, M., Znazen, H., Sellami, M., & Davis, P. (2018). Heart rate monitoring during combat sports matches: a brief
review. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(2), 273-292.
The aims of the present short review were to (i) summarise data relating to the heart rate (HR) response to
combat sports matches according to many factors and (ii) determine the cardiovascular demand and intensity of
combat sports matches. The present review shows that HR increased significantly across rounds during male
taekwondo, boxing and kickboxing matches. HR and maximal heart rate (HRmax) increased significantly across
successive karate and judo combat matches in young men and boy athletes. It has also been shown that there
are no significant differences between winners and losers and males and females in HR response during official
and simulated striking combat sports matches. Furthermore, combat HR intensity as a percentage of HRmax
varied from 90% to 94%, from 86% to 100%, from 83% to 94%, and approximately 95% during judo, taekwondo,
karate and Muay Thai matches, respectively. Coaches, sports scientists and athletes can also use HR to (i)
assess athletes’ cardiovascular demand and (ii) monitor exercise intensity during combat sports matches.

SYBIL, M., PERVACHUK, R., ZAHURA, F., STELMAKH, Y., BODNAR, I. (2018). Considering the current balance
between lactate and alactate mechanisms of energy supply in preparation of free style wrestlers Journal of
Physical Education and Sport, 18(Supp 4), 1826-1830.
The effectiveness of the method of permanent correction of individual training of skilled freestyle
wrestlers considering the current balance between the individual components of anaerobic mechanism of energy
supply have been experimentally justified. The base of the author’s program is composed of the ratio between
the indexes of biochemical monitoring (excretion of creatinine and lactate) during the pedagogical experiment in
response to cycle ergometry "Vita maxima" and specialized check-up tests. The correction factor was to identify
the individual balance between the lactic and alactic components of anaerobic energy supply, and to organize

32 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 influence with appropriate exercises on the weaker link by involving the cluster analysis.

Sybil, M., Pervachuk, R., Zahura, F., Shandrygos, V., Yaremenko, V., & Bodnar, I. (2018). Biochemical changes in cluster
analysis indicators as a result of special tests of freestyle wrestlers of alactic and lactate types of power supply.
Journal of Physical Education & Sport, 18(1), 235-238.
The paper presents a pattern of alactic, lactic and mixed types of freestyle wrestlers identified using the cluster
analysis (computer application SPSS Statistic 17) of biochemical parameters growth of alactic (creatinine) and
lactic (lactic acid) anaerobic energy supply mechanisms in response to specific check tests. The study involved
20 freestyle wrestlers with classification from I degree to Master of Sports (3-8 years of experience in training). It
has been established that 3 athletes belong to alactic, 6 to lactic and 11 athletes to mixed types, which made it
possible to customize the training program.

Tavares, L. D., Zanchetta, F., Lasevicius, T., Anorato, A., De Souza, E. O., Laurentino, G. C., & Franchini, E. (2018).
Optimal load for the muscle power profile of prone bench pull in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Sport Sciences for
Health, 14(1), 143-149.
Background: No studies were observed optimal intensity loads for the muscle power performance during prone
bench pull exercise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes (BJJ) and this exercise is more similar with grip technics.
Purpose: To identify the optimal intensity for the muscle power performance variables during PBP exercise in BJJ
athletes. Methods: Fifteen athletes (25.5 ± 4.9 years; 65.6 ± 12.2 kg; 177.5 ± 4.7 cm) performed PBP at 30, 40, 50
and 60% of one repetition maximum (1RM) in a random order. The mean power (MP), mean velocity (MV), mean
propulsive power (MPP) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) were determined by measuring the barbell
displacement by a linear encoder. Results: In all power performance variables, higher power output was observed
at 40 and 50% 1RM when compared to 30 and 60% 1RM (MP: F< = 29.07; p < 0.001; MV: F = 40.80; p < 0.001;
MPP: F = 53.69; p = 0.003; MPV: F = 166.2; p > 0.001). Additionally, it was observed higher MPP at 50% 1RM
when compared to 40% 1RM (F< = 55.23; p< < 0.001). The polynomial adjustment indicated that the optimal
intensity load for producing highest power performance ranged from 45 to 50% 1RM (R2 = 0.938-0.989) across all
variables. Conclusion: The loads between 45 and 50% 1RM produced the optimal muscle power performance
during PBP exercise in BJJ athletes.

Thomas, R. E., & Zamanpour, K. (2018). Injuries in wrestling: systematic review. Physician and sportsmedicine, 46(2),
168-196. doi:10.1080/00913847.2018.1445406
Objectives: To identify all studies of injuries in wrestling, assess risk of bias and compute weighted average injury
rates. Methods: 17 online databases and nine grey literature resources were searched with no language/date
limitations. Abstracts were assessed for inclusion and data abstracted independently by two reviewers. Results:
Eleven studies of competitions, 27 databases, four surveys (699 wrestlers) and seventeen case reports (604
cases) were included. Studies provided varying completeness of data. Weighted average injury rates of
16.3/1000AE (AE=Athletic encounter) could be computed for 8/11 studies of competitions and 69.5/1000AE for
5/27 databases. Eleven of the databases focused on specific injuries. Weighted average injury rates by location
for 8/11 competition studies and 7/16 databases were similar for the upper extremities (competitions 26%,
databases 24%) and torso (15%, 12%), but dissimilar for head/neck (31%, 20%) and lower extremities (24%,
39%). Weighted average injury rates by injury type varied from 6/11 to 2/11 competition studies and 6/16 to 3/16
database studies. Percentages were similar for fractures (6%, 7%), dislocations/subluxations (6%, 6%), ligament
tears/cartilage injuries (12%, 17%) and concussions/1000AE (2 competition studies, 1 database) in competitions
(25%, 27%) and training (5.7%, 7.1%). Percentages were dissimilar for lacerations/abrasions/contusions (23%,
4%) and sprains/strains (38%, 26%). The differences may be due to the small number of databases providing
specific data and the unknown proportion of training injuries. Databases extrapolating injuries to the national US
level reported high annual numbers. Conclusions: Average injury rates weighted by sample size are 16.3/1000AE
for 8/11 competition studies and 69.5/1000AE for 5/27 databases. Competition data are likely to be accurate
because they were observed by physicians, trainers and referees and the completeness and accuracy of
database studies vary. Databases which extrapolated data to provide annual national rates estimated large
numbers. Few studies provided data about the situations in which injuries occur and the causes of injuries.

Tomschi, F., Bloch, W., & Grau, M. (2018). Impact of Type of Sport, Gender and Age on Red Blood Cell Deformability of
Elite Athletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(1), 12-20. doi:10.1055/s-0043-119879
Our objective was to detect possible differences in red blood cell (RBC) deformability of elite athletes performing
different types of sports and being of different age and gender. 182 athletes were included in this cross-sectional
study. RBC deformability was measured using the laser-assisted optical rotational cell-analyzer. Maximal
elongation index (EImax) and shear stress at half-maximum deformation (SS1/2) were calculated. The ratio
SS1/2/EImax (EIRatio) was calculated with low values representing high RBC deformation. Hematocrit (Hct) and
mean cellular volume (MCV) were determined in venous blood. Overall RBC deformability did not differ between
male and female athletes but, when separated by age of the subjects, RBC deformability increased with age in
male but not in female athletes. RBC deformability was lower in Combat sports compared other sport groups. Hct

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 33

 was higher in male compared to female athletes while no difference was observed for MCV. MCV and Hct
increased with increasing age. A negative correlation was found between the EIRatio and MCV and between
EIRatio and Hct. Conclusion: RBC deformability is influenced by age and endurance rate of the sport which
suggests that the RBC system may adapt to changing conditions such as adolescence with the onset effects of
sex hormones or physical exercise.

Trompeter, K., Fett, D., Brüggemann, G. P., & Platen, P. (2018). Prevalence of Back Pain in Elite Athletes. / Prävalenz
von Rückenschmerzen bei Elitesportlern. German Journal of Sports Medicine / Deutsche Zeitschrift fur
Sportmedizin, 69(7/8), 240-245.
Objectives: The primary objectives of this investigation were to provide an overview of data about back pain
prevalence in athletes, to analyse the prevalence in the German elite athletic population, and to compare it with
physically-active individuals. Methods: 1. A comprehensive analysis of the literature was undertaken, using
specifically developed search strategies for relevant epidemiological research on back pain. 2. An online back
pain questionnaire was sent to approximately 4,000 German elite athletes and a control group of 253 physically-
active individuals. Results: Lifetime and point prevalence were the most commonly researched episodes and the
lower back was the most common location of pain. Lifetime prevalence of low back pain in athletes was 1-94%,
and point prevalence was 18-65%. In German elite athletes, prevalence rates were 77% and 34%, respectively,
and were slightly higher in athletes than in active controls (71% and 29%, respectively) and the general
population (11-84% and 7-33%, respectively). Prevalence of back pain varied between athletes of different
disciplines. Conclusion: Back pain is a common complaint in athletes and in the general population. A high
training volume in athletes and a low training volume in the general population might increase prevalence rates.
Our findings indicate the necessity for specific prevention programs, especially in high-risk sports. Further
research should investigate the optimal dose-effect relationship of sporting activity to prevent back pain.

Tron, R., Hruzevych, I., Salnykova, S., Kormiltsev, V., Sarafynyuk, P., Kyrychenko, Y., . . . Kropta, R. (2018).
Psychophysiological conditions and competition in highly qualified combat sambo wrestlers. Journal of Physical
Education & Sport, 18(2), 600-605.
The article represents the outcome of the research of the problem of taking control over the specific preparedness
of qualified combat sambo wrestlers. The study includes the data of experimental investigation carried out to
prove the efficacy of the program developed to monitor the preparedness of the qualified combat sambo
wrestlers. The program proposed allows utilizing the data of the level of physical and technical prepared,
psychophysiological and the functional cardiovascular system conditions of the qualified combat sambo wrestlers
by the testing results and make a prognosis about the secure performance of throws and the other athlete
activities at the contest. The overall scale of contest activities and effective throws, informative indicators of
physical technical preparedness and psychophysiological state of combat sambo wrestlers have also been
determined in the study. The relationships of informative indicators of specific preparedness with the coefficient of
secure throw performance and qualified combat sambo wrestlers activities at the contest were defined. The
program of monitoring the special preparedness of qualified combat sambo wrestlers that allows the prognostic
estimates for secure performance of effective throws and combat sambo wrestlers activities under conditions of
the competition has been developed and proven. The data obtained allow choosing the optimal tactics and
strategies for the contest where all strengths and weaknesses of combat sambo wrestlers preparedness were
accounted for.

Tropin, Y., & Boychenko, N. (2018). Features of psycho-physiological indicators in various types of wrestling /
Особенности психофизиологических показателей в различных видах борьбы Slobozhanskyi R & Sports
Bulletin, 68(6), 54-58.
Purpose: establish the characteristics of the manifestation of psycho-physiological reactions in various types of
wrestling. Material & Methods: analysis of scientific and methodological information, generalization of advanced
practical experience, psycho-physiological research methods, methods of mathematical statistics. The study
involved 30 qualified athletes involved in various types of wrestling, aged 19 to 22 years. Participants were
divided into 2 groups of 15 people: 1 – Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling; 2 – judo and sambo. Athletes were
qualified as master of sports and candidate of master of sports. Results: simple, complex motor reactions and
specific perceptions of wrestlers were evaluated. In the course of the study, it was determined that the best
indicators of simple reactions are observed in representatives of judo and sambo (from 1% to 4%), while in
Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers, results in complex reactions (from 1% to 13%) and specific perceptions
(from 5% to 14%). Conclusions: it was established that different types of wrestling form the ability to quickly
analyze, evaluate and predict situations and make the right decisions in a timely manner during the fight, which
explains the unreliable differences (p>0,05) in the psycho-physiological indicators of the athletes studied.

Tropin, Y., Romanenko, V., Goloha, V., Aleksieieva, I., & Aleksenko, Y. (2018). Peculiarities of sensory motion reactions
by students of KSAPC / Особенности проявления сенсомоторных реакций студентами ХГАФК Slobozhanskyi
R & Sports Bulletin, 65(3), 57-62.

34 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

 Purpose: to establish the features of the manifestation of sensorimotor reactions by students of various
specializations of KSAPC. Material & Methods: analysis of scientific and methodological information,
generalization of best practical experience, psychophysiological methods of research, methods of mathematical
statistics. 72 first-year students of the KSAPC, engaged in various sports, aged from 17 to 19, took part in the
research. Participants were divided into 4 groups of 18 people: 1 - cyclical sports (track and field, cycling,
tourism); 2 - complex coordination sports (sports and artistic gymnastics, acrobatics, sports dances); 3 - sports
games (football, basketball, volleyball, handball); 4 - martial artists (freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, judo,
boxing). Athletes were qualified from the 2nd category to the candidate for master of sports. Results: in the course
of the study it was determined that the best indicators of sensorimotor reactions were observed among students
of martial artists, and then - in representatives of sports games, complex coordination and cyclic sports. The
greatest differences from the results of the assessment of the level of sensorimotor reactions of martial artists
were marked with cyclical sports (from 6% to 12%), followed by complex coordination sports (from 3% to 6%) and
sports games (from 1% to 5%). Conclusions: conducted research confirmed the importance of
psychophysiological characteristics of athletes of various sports as success factors.

Tropin, Y., Romanenko, V., Goloha, V., & Veretelnikova, N. (2018). Relationship between physical development and
physical readiness among skilled wrestlers / Взаимосвязь физического развития и физической
подготовленности у квалифицированных борцов Slobozhanskyi R & Sports Bulletin, 63(1), 102-107.
Purpose: to determine the relationship between physical development and physical readiness among qualified
wrestlers. Material & Methods: in the study involved thirty qualified wrestlers, aged 19–22 years. For the purpose
of analyzing indicators of physical development and physical preparedness, pedagogical testing. Results: the
results of the study testify to the homogeneity of the indices of physical development of the athletes under study,
the coefficient of variation is in the range from 2.43% to 10.93%. It is revealed that the indices of physical
readiness of qualified wrestlers are characterized mainly by small variation in the testing of speed-strength
qualities, coordination abilities, general and strength endurance, and average – in the results of special
endurance. Conclusion: it is determined that the most informative indicators of physical development are the
weight of the wrestler’s body, which has a connection with 15 physical preparedness tests, followed by a vital
index (12 statistically reliable relationships) and a strength index (11 interrelations).

Tropin, Y. B., Natalya [Юрий Тропин, Юрий x], & Бойченко, Н. (2018). Interrelation of psychophysiological indicators and
physical readiness of qualified wrestlers / Взаимосвязь психофизиологических показателей и физической
подготовленности у квалифицированных борцов Slobozhanskyi R & Sports Bulletin, 64(2), 82-87.
Purpose: to establish the features and degree of interrelation of psychophysiological indicators and physical
readiness among qualified wrestlers. Material & Methods: analysis of scientific and methodological information,
generalization of best practical experience, psychophysiological methods of research, pedagogical testing,
methods of mathematical statistics. Thirty qualified wrestlers took part in the research, at the age of 19–22.
Results: the results of the study indicate the uniformity of the indices of simple and complex reactions, since the
coefficient of variation lies in the range from 6,04% to 10,94%. The indicators of specific perceptions have a high
coefficient of variation (from 15,56% to 48,82%), this is because specific perceptions more individually reflect the
psychophysiological state of qualified wrestlers. Conclusions: it is determined that the most informative indicators
of physical readiness are the tests of the wrestler’s strength abilities, which have reliable connections with 11
psychophysiological indicators, followed by tests characterizing the strength endurance, with five statistically
significant interrelations.

Tsushima, W. T., Ahn, H. J., Siu, A. M., Yoshinaga, K., Choi, S. Y., & Murata, N. M. (2018). Effects of repetitive
subconcussive head trauma on the neuropsychological test performance of high school athletes: A comparison of
high, moderate, and low contact sports. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 1-8.
doi:10.1080/21622965.2018.1427095
The aim of this study was to examine the neuropsychological test results of non-concussed high school athletes
playing at three different levels of contact sports. Based on the concussion risk data of 12 different sports, a High
Contact group (n=2819; wrestling/martial arts, cheerleading, track and field, football), a Moderate Contact group
(n=2323; softball, basketball, soccer), and a Low Contact group (n=1580; baseball, volleyball, water polo, tennis,
cross-country) were formed and compared in terms of their scores on the Immediate Post-Concussion
Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). The results revealed that the High Contact group obtained small
but statistically poorer performances in ImPACT Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Impulse Control, and Total
Symptom scores compared to the Moderate and Low Contact groups. The High Contact group also had poorer
Reaction Time scores compared to the Low Contact group. No differences between the Moderate and Low
Contact groups were noted. The findings, along with prior similar results, tentatively raise concerns that
participant in high contact sports, exposed to repetitive subconcussive head trauma, may be at greater risk for
lowered neuropsychological functioning and increased symptoms, compared to other high school athletes. In view
of the preliminary nature of this investigation, more research into the effects of frequent head impacts in high
school sports is strongly recommended.

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 35

Tsushima, W. T., Siu, A. M., Yamashita, N., Oshiro, R. S., & Murata, N. M. (2018). Comparison of neuropsychological test
scores of high school athletes in high and low contact sports: A replication study. Applied Neuropsychology: Child,
7(1), 14-20. doi:10.1080/21622965.2016.1220860
This replication study re-examined the neuropsychological effects of participation in high and low contact youth
sports. Modeled after a recently published investigation, two contact sport groups of participants ages 12 to 18
were formed based on the rate of concussion in their respective sport, with the assumption that more head
impacts and neuropsychological effects occur in high contact sports that have a greater number of reported
concussions as compared with low contact sports. The preseason baseline ImPACT neuropsychological test
scores and symptom scores of non-concussed youth athletes in a High Contact Sport (football, n = 139) and a
Low Contact Sport (basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, paddling, and cheerleading, n = 57) were
compared. The results revealed significantly poorer ImPACT test performances in visual motor speed and
reaction time among high contact sport athletes compared to low contact sport athletes. No differences were
found between the two groups in Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, and Total Symptom. These findings were
identical to a recent study in which nonconcussed youth athletes in a high contact sport, that is, football, exhibited
poorer neuropsychological test performance than their peers in low contact sports, that is, basketball, baseball,
soccer, wrestling, and judo. This research replication verified the results of the prior study, and raises concerns
that youth athletes exposed to repetitive head trauma may be at risk for lowered neuropsychological functioning,
even without a reported concussive event. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

Umarov, J., Kerimov, F., Toychiev, A., & Osipova, S. (2018). Vitamin D Level Among Elite Wrestlers in Uzbekistan.
International Journal of Wrestling Scienc, 8(2), 36-39.
Purpose. The purpose of the study is to determine vitamin D (VD) levels and acute upper respiratory tract
infections (URI) morbidity among elite wrestlers in Uzbekistan as well as possible association with overtraining
syndrome (OS). Methods. Study participants included 40 elite wrestlers and 60 control individuals. Serum levels
of 25(OH) VD and TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-4 were detected by ELISA technique. Frequency of URI was detected
as well as parasitic infections. OS was diagnosed on the basis of typical symptoms and decreased performance.
Results. Predominance of VD insufficiency was found in both groups of elite athletes and in the control
individuals. Prevalence of VD deficiency/insufficiency depends on the season, but in every season the highest
values were observed among athletes. The highest level of TNF-α and the lowest of IFN-γ were observed in
athletes with VD deficiency. Changes in the level of IL-4 were less expressed. Frequency of episodes of URI
depends on VD level and the most number was detected in wrestlers with VD deficiency in winter-spring. OS
was diagnosed in wrestlers free of infections, including parasitic ones, but with VD deficiency. Conclusion. VD
deficiency/insufficiency is widely spread both in elite wrestlers and population in Uzbekistan. Monitoring of VD
level in elite athletes with subsequent correction is necessary. VD deficiency/insufficiency in athletes correlates
with high morbidity with URI and could be associated with OS.

Üzüm, H. (2018). Athletes' Perception of Coaches' Behavior and Skills about Their Sport. Journal of Education and
Training Studies, 6(5), 28-33.
This study examined the perception of athletes about their coaches' behavior and skills in terms of knowledge and
skills, fairness and coaches' characteristic features. The research was conducted by using relational survey
method. The subjects of the study were 95 females and 180 males from different sports. Both team sports
athletes such as football, volleyball, basketball, handball and individual sports such as karate, taekwondo,
wrestling, kickboxing voluntarily involved in the study. Perceived Coach Attitudes and Behaviours Scale (PCABS)
which was developed by Uzum et al. (2018) was used to asses perceived coaches' knowledge and skills, fairness
and characteristic features by athletes. The scale was composed of 24 items and 3 sub-dimensions
("Characteristic Features," "Skills and Knowledge," "Fairness"). Uzum et al. (2018) reported the internal
consistency for subscales of PCABS ranging from 0.56 and 0.88. For the purpose of this study the reliability of
two sub-scales of the PCABS was examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a = 0.83 for knowledge and
skills; a = 0.81 for characteristic features of coaches. The data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA), Tukey's Post-Hoc Analysis and Pearson Correlation analysis. The level of significance for the study
was set at p<0.05. The results of the study showed that the sub-dimension of characteristic features of coaches
had the highest mean average. There were statistically significant differences between male athletes and female
athletes in both dimensions of characteristic features of coaches and knowledge and skills (p<0.05). Further
analysis indicated that females scored higher than males in both dimensions. With regard to the level of coaching
either professional or amateur, perception of characteristic features of coaches had higher scores in professional
level than amateur (p<0.05). Moreover, correlational analysis revealed that there was negatively significant
correlation between age of the coaches and knowledge and skills dimension (r = -0.13). On the other hand, the
variables such as age of athletes, year of sports performance, level of education, type of sports and the coachs'
gender, marital status, education level of coaches, amount of time spent with the athlete did not show any
significant relationship (p>0.05).

36 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)

Voelker, D. K., & Reel, J. J. (2018). Researching Eating Disorders and Body Image in Sport: Challenges and
Recommendations. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 12(4), 473-479.
The number of studies examining eating disorders and body image in sport has increased, although several major
challenges associated with conducting this research must be addressed to continue growth. In this paper, we
describe these challenges based on our professional experiences and the academic literature. Mistrust of
researchers and the area of study, communication gaps, and factors that affect data quality are among the strong
barriers discussed. However, we suggest that these challenges may be addressed by building stronger
partnerships between researchers and practitioners and offer critical steps for developing meaningful professional
relationships that will help move the field forward.

Yang, W.-H., Heine, O., & Grau, M. (2018). Rapid weight reduction does not impair athletic performance of Taekwondo
athletes – A pilot study. PLoS ONE, 13(4), 1-19. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196568
In combat sports such as taekwondo (TKD), athletes rapidly reduce body weight to achieve a desired weight
category. Competition takes place 16–24 h after weigh-in and thus, the recovery time is an important factor for
competition performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of rapid weight reduction
(RWR) on athletic performance and associated hemorheological properties considering relevant recovery time.
Five male TKD athletes reduced body weight by 5% within 3½ days. A simulated competition day (SCD) was
carried out after a 16 h recovery period. Parameters were measured before RWR, at weigh-in and before and
after three TKD simulation matches (SMs) at SCD. Same set-up was conducted but without RWR as control.
Basal blood parameters, red blood cells (RBC) deformability and aggregation, serum glucose and fibrinogen were
determined. During SMs, heart rate (HRpeak, HRmean), oxygen uptake (VO2peak, VO2mean), peak lactate
(Peak La-), difference of lactate (ΔLa) and energy systems (anaerobic-alactic, -lactic and aerobic) were analyzed.
Basal blood parameters remained unaltered during the interventions. RBC deformability was reduced and
aggregation was increased after RWR but values returned to baseline after recovery and were not affected by the
SMs. Glucose level was not affected by the interventions. Kick frequency in SMs was higher after RWR which
might be responsible for higher HRpeak, VO2peak, VO2mean, Peak La-, ΔLa- and aerobic demand. The 16 h
recovery is sufficient to regenerate measured physiological and hemorheological parameters. TKD-specific
performance was not negatively affected during SMs after RWR.

Zimányi, R. G., & Géczi, G. (2018). Quality of judo world championships in relation to justice theories and behavior– a
case study of the 2017 world judo championships in Budapest. International Journal of Wrestling Science, 8(2), 1-
8.
The judo world championships are major sport events, where, as in any other area of life, we strive for justice.
How can the competitor’s list of judo world championships be evaluated as just? When is the seeding right?
When can we talk about a fair draw? When is a competition system fair? How can the final result be just and
fair? Does everyone think that the final result is just? To answer the questions correctly, first of all we need to
clarify the telos of the specific sporting event. This study presents the justice theories and examines the
evolutionist conceptions from Aristotle's justice theory, through meritocracy and egalitarianism, to positive
discrimination. It analyses a sporting event, the World Judo Championships 2017, held in Budapest. In the study
we examine the competitor’s list, the seeding, the draw, the competition systems and the final results of this
judo world championship. Parallel to the analysis of justice theories, we use the method of personal observation
as well. The study is based on an interview with the Operational Director of the Hungarian Judo Federation. We
conclude that many theories of justice appear in relation to the judo world championships. However, only those
theories of justice can be accepted which are consistent with the telos, the ultimate object or aim, of the event.
As a summary the competitor’s list, the seeding, the draws, the competition system and the final result can be
fair, but their acceptance depends on which theory of justice is applied. The research confirms that there are
such theories of justice which do not meet the telos.

Zubac, D., Karnincic, H., & Sekulic, D. (2018). Rapid Weight Loss Is Not Associated with Competitive Success in Elite
Youth Olympic-Style Boxers in Europe. International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 13(7), 860-866.
Purpose: To examine the influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on competitive success in elite youth Olympic-style
boxers. In addition, this study examined the practice and prevalence of weight reduction, weight-management
protocols, and related symptoms in youth boxers from 12 European countries (N = 83, all males, mean [SD] age
17.1 [0.9] y). Methods: The data were collected using an extensive questionnaire on weight cutting and its
associated protocols and symptoms prior to highest-level continental championships. Competition results were
obtained at follow-up using a dichotomous variable: medal winning vs nonwinning at the European
Championships. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that “boxing experience” was significantly
related to the criterion competitive outcome (odds ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.66; Nagelkerke
R2 =.11), with a higher likelihood of competitive success for more-experienced boxers. Of all the youth boxers,
only 25% were included in the RWL group, irrespective of their weight-class stratification. More than 45% of all

Compilation of Wrestling Research 2018 37

 the youth boxers self-reported the simultaneous combination of different weight-cutting methods that are known to
be serious health hazards. Finally, 33% of the boxers experienced muscle weakness as a consequence of RWL.
Conclusions: Our study provided evidence of pathogenic weight-management protocols that are widely adopted
by youth boxers, and yet the present outcomes showed that RWL did not translate into competitive success in
these elite Olympic-style boxers in Europe. Therefore, the authors suggest a mandatory educational program that
should simultaneously target all the mentioned issues including both health- and performance-threatening
consequences.

38 International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR)