Thesis (M.A.)--Seton Hill University, 2003.

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the level of nutrition knowledge and degree of competitiveness in high school wrestlers and their coaches and to look at the differences between groups. Twelve schools participated in the study and a total of 180 wrestlers and 29 coaches (12 head and 17 assistant) completed the nutrition knowledge and Sports Orientation (competitiveness) questionnaires. The results indicate that nutrition knowledge increases significantly with increasing age or grade level in the athletes (p=.0001), but significant increases were not seen for each year. The mean score for nutrition knowledge was 53.9% for the athletes and 67% for the coaches, both very low scores overall when compared with previous research, indicating a strong need for improved nutrition education in both populations. The coaches' mean nutrition knowledge levels were found to increase significantly with increasing years of coaching (p=.0001), suggesting that some knowledge is gained through experience. Team nutrition scores varied significantly, with a range of 50 to 63%, suggesting that some schools may have higher quality nutrition education programs than others. Results of the nutrition knowledge scores also demonstrate that a significant similarity exists between the head coaches' nutrition score and the teams' mean score (p=.0001), suggesting the possibility that the head coaches can have a greater impact on their teams' level of nutrition information than can other possible sources. Competitiveness scores were very high for this population as compared to previous studies completed with high school students, with the mean scores being 58.5 out of a possible 65 points for the wrestlers, and 59.4 for the coaches. Average competitiveness scores previously seen in the high school athletic population are approximately 20% lower than the scores found in these wrestlers, with a mean of 47. Competitiveness was found to significantly increase with increasing years of participation in wrestling (p=.02), but no other significant interrelationships were found to exist with regard to competitiveness levels in this population. There are many factors that were unable to be researched in this study due to inconsistent weight records that were to be kept by each team. Not 1 of the 12 schools kept consistent nor complete weight records throughout the season, making much of the planned research impossible. In conclusion, there exists much speculation regarding the possible consequences of weight cutting during adolescence, especially when the perceived benefits of the practice are not scientifically based. Research has suggested that there are many changes that need to be considered within the sport of wrestling such as minimal weight standards along with strict enforcement of those standards. As demonstrated with the results of this study, nutrition knowledge is low in the wrestling population, wrestlers and coaches alike, and therefore, additional education regarding nutrition and unsafe weight loss practices in high-risk populations such as the high school wrestler is needed. / Graduation date: 1996

The purpose of this investgation was to study the effects of repeated weight loss and physical training on the plasma levels of testosterone, growth hormone, insulin and cortisol. A further purpose of this study was to determine if changes in plasma hormone concentrations could be avoided through a nutritional education program and the addition of nutritional supplements to the diet. Lastly the effects of acute and seasonal weight loss upon mean anerobic power, peak power, and percent fatigue were measured.MethodsA total of 34 adolescent high school wrestlers ranging age from 14 to 18 years, were pair matched for age, size, percentage weight loss, and skill level (varsity or JV) and then randomly assigned into a control and treatment group. The treatment group recieved a nutritonal education program and nutritional supplements. Blood samples were taken four times throughout the study period: once in the preseason (October 14), twice in December (Dec. 7 and 14), and once in January (Jan. 13). The blood was drawn at the same time each morning after an 8 hour fast. The blood was analyzed to detect changes over time and between groups for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasma levels of insulin, cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone. The wrestlers were also measured for caloric and nutrient intake, weight, height, body fat percentages, and for arm power with the Wingate test. The experimental design consisted of a pretest-posttest randomized groups test design. The hormone and power data were analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA, and a probability level of 0.05 or above was chosen as statistical significance. Polynomial contrasts were used to determine whether significant differences over time followed linear, quadratic, or cubic trends. Post hoc tests were also used to determine where the difference did exist.ResultsThere were no significant (p<0.05) differences between the treatment and control groups in any variable tested. Over the experimental period, each group showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in weight, percent body fat, and fat free weight. No significant changes (p<0.05) in any of the power indicies occurred, but specific trends were apparent. Both groups had reductions in their absolute peak and mean power, and increases in their relative peak and mean power. Changes in percent fatigue and fatigue slope were inconsistent and nonsignificant. Serum concentrations of cortisol and insulin showed significant (p<0.05) decrements over the investigative period. The decline in serum growth hormone levels approached significance (p = 0.085), and serum testosterone levels showed a nonsignificant decreasing trend. Hormone levels per kilogram free fat weight were not changed, along with testosterone to cortisol ratios, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.ConclusionsThe treatment of consuming a nutritional beverage (Exceed) and information on proper dieting did not produce a significant (p<0.05) difference between the groups. Over time the wrestlers lost significant amounts of weight, body fat, and fat free weight due to significant decreases in the intake of calories in the form of fat, protein and carbohydrate. There were also significant decreases in plasma levels of insulin and cortisol. These results indicate that weight loss over a wrestling season may significantly alter plasma hormone levels. / School of Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to examine weight loss methods and to determine if seasonal differences existed in energy and nutrient intakes, supplement use and eating behaviors of high school wrestlers. Weight loss history, food and activity records, supplement use and knowledge and bulimic behavior data were collected from twenty wrestlers during the 1998-99 wrestling season and from eleven wrestlers 3 months post wrestling season.This study found that wrestlers practiced extreme weight control behaviors including fasting, food and fluid restriction resulting in inadequate nutrient intakes. No significant seasonal differences were found in energy balance, nutrient intake or supplement use for this study group. There was a significant difference in bulimic behavior post season as compared to peak season, though no wrestler approached the cutoff score for clinical diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.Given the negative effects of extreme weight loss practices and inadequate nutrient intake on performance, nutrition education remains crucial for high school wrestlers. Further research using instruments to measure restrictive behaviors (as was practiced by subjects in this study) would be beneficial. Additionally future studies are needed to continually assess this population of athletes to gauge if changes in extreme behaviors are occurring. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Twelve highly trained collegiate wrestlers were studied to determine if performance of a six-minute arm crank task can be maintained by feeding a hypocaloric, high percentage carbohydrate diet to athletes during a four day weight loss period. Subjects were placed on a hypocaloric, low percentage (41.9%) carbohydrate diet (LC) and a hypocaloric, high percentage (65.9%) carbohydrate diet (HC) during two separate weight loss periods. The reduction in work performed during six minutes of arm cranking from pre- to post-weight loss was 0.9% and 8.2% for HC and LC treatments, respectively. Post exercise lactate measures were significantly lower and pH values were significantly higher pre- and post-weight loss under the LC treatment as compared to the HC treatment. Pre-exercise glycerol values were significantly higher post weight loss as compared to pre weight loss under both diet treatments. Profile of Mood State (POMS) scores indicate a negative effect of weight loss on psychological well being of the subjects. This negative effect is exacerbated during weight loss under the LC as compared to HC treatment. These data indicate a significant reduction in performance following a four day weight loss of 6.1% under the LC treatment, while performance is maintained following the HC treatment. / Department of Biology

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the seasonal change in the nutritional protein status of adolescent wrestlers who lost weight for competition. Additionally, this study determined if changes in plasma proteins and amino acids could be prevented through nutritional education and dietary supplementation. Twenty-seven adolescent wrestlers (14.8-18.1 yr) were divided into two groups for study during a three month period. One group received a nutritional education and supplement program, the other group served as a control. Height, weight, percent body fat, and free fat weight were measured during wrestling season. Venous blood samples were drawn and analyzed for essential (E) and nonessential (NE) plasma amino acids, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), retinol-binding protein (RBP), prealbumin (PA), albumin (AL), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Four, 4-day dietary records taken during the season were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, fat, and total calories. The results demonstrated that weight, percent body fat, and fat free weight decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.001), with no significant differences between treatment and control groups. The blood RBP and PA decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.01), whereas AL didNot change. Most of the amino acids did not show significant decreases during the experimental period whereas the total essential amino acids showed a decreasing trend (p<0.05), the total nonessential amino acids did not change. The subjects' average caloric intake showed significant decreases during the experimental period (p<0.001). The wrestlers failed to meet the RDA for energy and protein intake. It was concluded that nutritional status of adolescent wrestlers appears to be diminished as a result of weight loss during the season. / Human Performance Laboratory

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 471-475). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / viii, 479 leaves, bound 29 cm

Fifty-five wrestlers from Tucson, Arizona were studied to develop equations using anthropometric measurements to predict a wrestler's minimum wrestling weight (MWW). This sample was also used to cross-validate seven equations that predict MWW by using anthropometric measures. All estimates of percent fat and MWW were validated by densitometry. The mean age, weight, percent fat and MWW for this sample, with standard deviations, were 16.8 ± 1.1 yrs, 63.7 ± 12.7 kg, 8.8 ± 5.49 percent, and 60.6 ± 9.49 kg. Using multiple regression analysis, the best combination of variables predicted MWW with an adjusted R2 of.93 and standard error of estimate (SEE) of 2.45 kg. The next best equation from this sample predicted MWW with an adjusted R2 of.91 and SEE of 2.8 kg. All seven of the equations from other samples were successfully cross validated on this sample. These equations predicted the criterion MWW with respective adjusted R2's and SEE's ranging from.91 and 2.84 kg to.79 and 4.28 kg.

Female wrestlers live in paradoxical worlds on and off the mat. Wrestling is a traditionally masculine activity, demanding specific gender performances, while the social world has different gendered expectations for women. Using grounded theory analysis of qualitative interviews with ten Canadian female wrestlers. this research explores and examines wrestlers' experiences across contexts in order to understand the potential effects of wrestling on wrestlers' gender performances and the social definition of femininity. On the mat, wrestlers' performances incorporate masculine qualities, including assertiveness, competitiveness, confidence, and independence. Off the mat, wrestlers display normatively feminine qualities, including attentiveness to appearance, displays of heterosexuality, sociability, and emotionality. They also retain several of their on-the-mat masculine characteristics, resulting in less traditionally feminine displays in contrast to the hegemonic norm. Wrestlers' performances may affect the social definition of femininity by displaying an alternative performance of femininity, and by expanding the limitations of what is considered feminine.

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