title: Comparison of Physical and Physiological Profiles in Elite and Amateur Young Wrestlers.
abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the physical and physiological determinants of wrestling success between elite and amateur male wrestlers. The wrestlers (N = 126) were first assigned to 3 groups based on their competitive level (top elite, elite, and amateur) and then to 6 groups according to their body mass (light, middle, and heavy weight) and their competitive level (elite and amateur). Top elite and elite wrestlers had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) more training experiences and maximal oxygen uptake compared with the amateur group. In separating weight classes, light- and middle-weight elite (MWE) wrestlers had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) more training experience (7-20%) compared with the light- and middle-weight amateur (MWA) wrestlers. No significant differences were detected between elite and amateur groups (light-, middle-, and heavy-weight wrestlers) for age, body mass, height, body mass index, and body fat (p > 0.05), with the exception of height for heavy wrestlers. Leg average and peak power values (in watts and watts per kilogram) in MWE were higher than MWA (6.5 and 13%, p ≤ 0.05). Relative leg average power value in heavy-weight elite (HWE) (in watts per kilogram) was higher than heavy-weight amateur (HWA) (9.6%, p ≤ 0.05). It was seen that elite wrestlers in MWE and HWE statistically possessed a higher V̇O2max (12.5 and 11.4%, respectively) than amateur middle- and heavy-weight wrestlers (p ≤ 0.05). The results of this study suggest that training experience, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic power and capacity will give a clear advantage for the wrestlers to take part in the elite group.
authors.affiliation: 1Physical Education and Sports School, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey; 2Sports Science Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey; 3Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Kirikkale, Kirikkale, Turkey; and 4University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demirkan
authors.forename: Mitat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koz
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kutlu
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D014952:Wrestling / Q000502:physiology*