title: Wrestlers with Limb Deficiencies: A Descriptive Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine if wrestling is a safe, positive athletic option for limb-deficient individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study consisted of an opportunity sample of limb-deficient wrestlers, aged 5 yrs and older with at least 1 yr of experience. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding health, satisfaction, and achievements. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen male wrestlers reported nine below-the-knee, five above-the-knee, and three below-the-elbow limb deficiencies. There were nine congenital deficiencies and seven amputations acquired during childhood. Two individuals won National Collegiate Athletic Association championships, and seven competed collegiately. All reported a positive impact on quality-of-life, 87% reported no difficulty finding acceptance with the team, and 50% experienced wrestling-related residual limb complications. Associations between (1) residual limb complications before and during wrestling and (2) skin breakdown before and during wrestling did not demonstrate statistical significance (P = 0.30 and 0.1189, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that wrestling is a safe, positive sport for limb-deficient individuals, that it fosters competitive equality between impaired and nonimpaired participants, and that it has a positive impact on health and quality-of-life. The incidence of residual limb complications warrants monitoring.
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (MRB, MJT, SWD, KLA, CCP) and Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (SWD, DBS), Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Baria
authors.forename: Marisa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.forename: Sherilyn W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Soma
authors.forename: Cara C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Prideaux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D038061:Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014952:Wrestling / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult