Through a combination of stringent and deceptive corporate control of sources, as well as an academic blind spot on certain low-brow subcultures, there has been a lack of serious study of the various regional professional wrestling traditions that crossed the United States until the end of the 1980s. An in-depth examination of a wide range of books, newsletters, and interviews shows a rich history with a deep economic, social, and creative diversity that has been largely ignored as the industry has moved towards monopolization under Vincent Kennedy McMahon. The various regions are divided into three groups: those that closed on their own, those that fell in competition with McMahon, and those that survived into the era of national corporate pro wrestling. This organization challenges the narrative that regional pro wrestling came to an end solely due to the business power of McMahon. The first group looks at Northern California, Southern California, Georgia, and North Texas. The second group examines the independent wrestling companies Mid-South Wrestling and the American Wrestling Association, and their attempts to compete with McMahon on a national level. The group also explores how the intense local fan bases in Portland and Memphis buoyed the local pro wrestling promotions for a time from outside competition from McMahon. The third group contains Jim Crockett Productions and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. These two organizations eventually became the two major corporate wrestling entities World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, respectively. A glossary of terms is included.

<p>Författaren använder också namnet Valentin Hällgren.</p>

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.

This thesis explores professional wrestling as a cultural medium, a form of theater/soap opera that provides psychological and sociological releases for its viewing audience. Research methodology includes participant-observation and content analysis. Findings suggest that professional wrestling provides various types of emotional outlets for its viewing audience by allowing the participants to form social groups that include specific cultural elements as well as social support. Gender differences, violence in society, social groups, and crossing racial and income barriers are also examined.

Background: In recent years several state high school athletic association have investigated methods to ensure the health and safety of high school wrestlers. One method implemented by the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires the prediction of minimum weight (MW) prior to the competition season. This weight certification program requires the assessment of body composition and hydration status. Results from those assessments place wrestlers in their lowest allowable wrestling weight class. There are a variety of measurement devises that have proven to be effective in measuring body composition. However, several considerations must be taken into account when choosing a devise such as affordability and reliability. Of those devices leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been suggested for use with wrestlers. Purpose: To test the validity of bioelectrical impedance as an instrument of body composition and minimum wrestling weight compared to three-site skinfold using the Lohman-Brozek formula and the Bod Pod®; among hydrated high school wrestlers. Methods: Criterion for this study was the Bod Pod®. Subjects included 98 high school wrestlers taking part in the pre-season wrestling weight certification program implemented by the Virginia High School League. Hydration was assessed and a urine specific gravity (USG) ≤ 1.020 was assigned as the level of hydration. Results: In order to investigate the validity of BIA in this study a repeated measure ANOVA with between-subjects factors was used to assess the equality of means between the three measurement devices. Also, in order to investigate hydration affect subjects were divided into two categories (hydrated and dehydrated). Finally, prior to analysis subjects were placed in weight categories based on their assigned wrestling weight class. Results of this study demonstrated that the three measurement devices did not produce similar results and it was concluded that hydration level had no affect on the measurements. Therefore, at this time BIA should not be considered as an alternative method for assessing body composition in high school wrestling weight certification programs. / Ph. D.

<p> Ericsson, Krampe and Tesch-Römer (1993) have concluded from work with musicians that expertise is the result of "deliberate practice". So how valid is this conclusion in sport? Four groups of wrestlers (n=42); 2 international and 2 club (current & retired) recalled the hours spent in wrestling activities since beginning wrestling. All groups had begun at a similar age (M =13.2 ± 0.6year) and had been wrestling for 10 years or more. Contrary to Ericsson et al., practice alone activities did not discriminate between the groups, only practice with others. At 6 years into their careers, the international group practised 4.5 hour/week more than the club wrestlers and at age 20 years the international wrestlers had accumulated over 1000 more hours of practice with others. Evaluations of wrestling activities showed that those judged as relevant, were also rated high for concentration and enjoyment. Diary data were collected from current wrestlers, however, no differences were found for time spent in wrestling activities. The international wrestlers spent longer travelling to practice, which reflected the necessity to train at a club with the best sparring partners. Practice with others yielded high correlations between estimates for a typical week and the diary data for the international wrestlers only, suggesting a more consistent training schedule for this group. In conclusion Ericsson et al.s' definition of "deliberate practice" needs to be reconsidered. It is suggested that "maintenance" hours should be considered separately from practice, and that future studies focus on what it is that motivates people to practice.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

This dissertation examines professional wrestling in the U.S., in particular, live and television shows produced by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Through the examination, it addresses complex issues of authenticity, audience, commodification, and discipline in contemporary popular culture and media. I use three approaches in this study. First, I apply the theory of culture industry, developed by Theodor W. Adorno and Max Horkheimer, to understand WWE wrestling. I examine how the WWE thoroughly stylizes its products to attract fans and condition them to repeat the same calculable reactions. However, contemporary fans often refuse to react as the WWE wants them to. By analyzing the complex interplay between the WWE and fans, I update and re-contextualize Adorno and Horkheimer's idea that the culture industry exerts total control over consumers. Second, I examine the recent rise of "nonfictional" narratives in professional wrestling, narratives that candidly acknowledge wrestling's scripted nature. I demonstrate how the WWE uses nonfictional narratives to present fans new ways of finding realness in wrestling and respecting wrestlers. I also point out that, by utilizing both fictional and nonfictional narratives, the WWE has developed clever ways of balancing between offering controversial products and transmitting conservative and respectable messages to enhance its populist appeal. Third, I look at the history of professional wrestling through theories of modernity and postmodernity. I grasp it as a dynamic process in which wrestling has expressed its challenge against and ambivalence towards dominant ideologies, values, and masculinities of modernity in multiple ways. I also examine the predominance of obsessed subjectivities in contemporary WWE wrestling as a unique form of postmodern expression. I argue that obsessively competitive and self-destructive performances of WWE wrestlers illuminate the contradiction of the construction of modern "disciplined" subjects described by Michel Foucault. They also reveal that in the culture where pain and destruction of human beings are among the most desired objects, the WWE has to endanger real live bodies of its wrestlers in order to survive and thrive. WWE is a rich, problematic, and compelling cultural phenomenon that illuminates issues and contradictions of itself, and the system it belongs to.

No description available.

Tyrimo objektas – paauglių, sportuojančių skirtingas sporto šakas psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygis. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti ir palyginti imtynes ir krepšinį sportuojančių paauglių psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygius. Hipotezė – Paauglių sportuojančių imtynes psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygis aukštesnis, lyginant su to paties amžiaus krepšininkais. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti paauglių sportuojančių imtynes ir sportuojančių krepšinį psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygius; 2. Palyginti abiejų sporto šakų atstovų paauglių psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygį; 3. Atskleisti sportuojančių paauglių psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygį lyties aspektu; Išvados: 1. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad bendrinio paauglystės amžiaus (14 – 17 metų) sportininkų, kurie lanko imtynių treniruotes, psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygis yra žemas (67, 45 ± 10, 91 balo). Tačiau, lyginant vaikinus ir merginas tarpusavyje, nustatėme, kad vaikinų psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygis yra geresnis (67, 84 ± 8, 41 balo), nei bendraamžių merginų (67, 00 ± 13, 66 balo). Tarp laisvųjų imtynių (vaikinų) ir moterų imtynių (merginų) statistiškai reikšmingų skirtumų nustatyti nepavyko. Nustatyta, kad krepšinio sporto šaką lankančių paauglių (14 – 17 metų) psichosocialinės adaptacijos lygis yra žemas (61, 80 ± 8, 63 balo). Lygintant imties viduje, paaiškėjo, kad merginų psichosocialinė adaptacija yra geresnė (63, 61 ± 7, 80 balo), lyginant ją su bendraamžiais vaikinais (60, 55 ± 9, 19 balo). Tačiau, tiek vaikinų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object of the research – the level of psychological adjustment of the adolescents practicing different sports. The aim of the research – to determine and compare the levels of psychological adjustment of the adolescents practicing wrestling and basketball. Hypothesis – The level of psychological adjustment of the adolescents practicing wrestling is higher compared with coeval basketball players. The tasks of the research: 1. To determine the levels of psychological adjustment of the adolescents practicing wrestling and basketball; 2. To compare the level of psychological adjustment of the adolescent representatives of both sports; 3. To reveal the level of psychological adjustment of exercising adolescents in the aspect of gender. Conclusions: 1. The results of the research demonstrated that the level of psychological adjustment of the athletes of common adolescent age (14 – 17 years) who attend the wrestling practices is low (67.45 ± 10.91 points). But, comparing boys and girls among them, we determined that the level of psychological adjustment of the boys is better (67.84 ± 8.41 points) than of the girls of the same age (67.00 ± 13.66 points). No statistically significant differences could be determined among the free wrestling (boys) and women wrestling (girls). It was determined that the level of psychological adjustment of the adolescents (14 – 17 years) practicing basketball sports is low (61.80 ± 8.63 points). Comparing inside the set, it became clear that girls’... [to full text]