Science of Wrestling Annual Review 2005 David Curby EdD TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 The Science of Wrestling 1 Chapter 2 When Do Wrestlers Peak? 4 Chapter 3 Principles for Training Your Wrestlers 8 Chapter 4 Doping in Wrestling 12 Chapter 5 Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) - What’s New? 15 Chapter 6 Scoring Patterns in High School Wrestling 18 Chapter 7 Wrestling Weight Classes – Providing a Scientific Rationale 21 Chapter 8 Heavyweight Limits 33 Chapter 9 Evaluation of the Weight Control Plan in Illinois 39 Chapter 10 Adjusting to the New FILA Rules 41 Chapter 11 Do You Test Your Wrestlers? 45 Chapter 11 How Do Collegiate Wrestlers Strength Train? 50 Chapter 12 Women’s Wrestling-Some History, Physiology, and Sociology 53 Chapter 13 Bibliography of Wrestling Research from 2005 57 Preface This annual publication is dedicated to the pursuit and use of the knowledge surrounding the noble and timeless sport of wrestling. Each year, an annotated bibliography of the scientific research, published in English, during the year in review, will be compiled and shared with those who work in the wrestling community. It is my hope that this work will spark further research, along with helping to educate those who are in a position to apply this knowledge. I am proud to be affiliated with this great sport. Thanks to our national governing body - USA Wrestling. Thanks to the National Coaching Staff for the support that they have given to me. I am grateful for the chance to work with Ivan Ivanov and Jim Gruenwald and their outstanding wrestlers at the USOEC in Marquette, Michigan. Larry Slater has provided many of the pictures found throughout this document. Finally, thanks to my wife Lynne and family, who have been a big part of my work in the sport, and have patiently supported me. David G. Curby EdD LaGrange, IL USA [email protected] Chapter 1 The Science of Wrestling The scientific study of our sport has so much to offer wrestlers; Randy Wroble (Grant Hospital, Columbus, to the wrestlers, coaches, parents, and fans. The Ohio) is a leader in documenting the injuries many broad areas of research can include: historical associated with wrestling; Suzannne Steen and socio-cultural issues, physiology, nutrition, (University of Washington) and Randy Clark performance, biomechanics, motor learning, (University of Wisconsin Hospital Sportsmedicine) psychology, game theory, tactics and strategy, growth have worked with weight loss, weight control plans and development, and medical/athletic training and nutrition; the Canadians Michael Sharratt and issues. A.W. Taylor have tested elite wrestlers from around the world; James Roemmich (University at Buffalo) Most published work that one finds regarding and Alan Rogol (University of Virginia) are making wrestling is basic research. This is research important observations on the effects of wrestling and conducted to answer a question, and merely to add to weight loss on growth in youth; and Thomas Kohl knowledge. We are just beginning to perform more (Reading Hospital, West Reading, PA), Brian Adams applied research studies for wrestling. Applied (University of Cincinnati) and BJ Anderson research has as its goal, the direct use of the (University of Minnesota) are established experts information gained from the work. For instance, regarding the dermatological issues facing wrestling. coaches may ask researchers to solve a particular training question. The links between science and This publication will address some of the problems sport have not been very strong in wrestling. that have prevented the findings of this scientific research from reaching athletes and coaches. I remember running across a wonderful book in the Sometimes the research articles never reach the mid 70’s, What Research Tells the Coach about practitioners of wrestling. “Translation” from the Wrestling by Philip Rasch and Walter Kroll rather technical language of scientific research is also (AAHPER, Washington, D.C., 1964). They needed. The next step is presenting the findings into investigated many wrestling topics throughout the something that can be applied and used in our sport. 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. This book prompted me to begin This information must be brought to the wrestling collecting research papers concerning wrestling. community. From that time in the mid 70’s, I now have a collection of almost 2,000 articles and papers. In this annual review I will review the wrestling related research from the past year, share the high While the work of some scientists is of a general points, along with potential applications for coaches nature and can be extended to our sport, there are and wrestlers. In this chapter, I have selected seven numerous researchers who have done extensive work research studies from the past three years to provide in wrestling. Some of these include Don Sayenga an idea of the wide range of research that is being (Bethlehem, PA) in history; William Morgan conducted and is available for use by coaches and (University of Wisconsin) and Dan Gould athletes. (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in psychology; Wayne Sinning (Kent State), Charles #1 Dermatology Tipton (ret. University of Arizona), Craig Horswill Anderson BJ. The Epidemiology and Clinical (Gatorade Sports Science Institute), Robert Oppliger Analysis of Several Outbreaks of Herpes (University of Iowa), Ed Zambraski (US Army Gladiatorum. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Research Institute for Environmental Medicine) and Nov;35(11):1809-1814. James Scott (Grand Valley State) have made big contributions to assessments of body composition Analysis of data from three outbreaks at a 28-d and/or weight loss; William Kraemer (University of wrestling camp showed that most outbreaks (96%) Connecticut), Alan Utter (Appalachian State), Terry occurred on the front surface of the body, with 71.9% Housh and Glenn Johnson (University of Nebraska) on the head, face, and neck, areas in direct contact have documented physical characteristics of 1 when wrestlers are engaged in a tie-up. Herpes is results indicate that Gable was successful due to a spread wrestler to wrestler, not from the mats. variety of factors including: enthusiasm for each athlete, motivating everyone, creating a successful Anderson feels that the NFHS guidelines are environment, and encouraging hard teamwork. inadequate to prevent and control outbreaks of Gable led by demonstrating high expectations, strong herpes. The focus of preventive efforts needs to modeling, and encouraging competition. Gable made change from mat cleanliness to more rapid detection his athletes attribute success to ability and effort of outbreaks by requiring culture results and and never to dwell on luck. appropriate therapy for all suspected bacterial and herpes sores before allowing return to contact. #4-Psychology-Focus on the Athlete Applications: This means we need more 2000 Sydney Olympic Games: U.S. Athlete and dermatologists associated with wrestling. We need to Coach Performance Lessons Learned Assessment- all make contacts with skilled dermatologists in our Daniel Gould, Ph.D. areas, share this sport-specific information from http://www.usoc.org/sportscience/ Anderson and others, so they can help us in our Athletes from the Sydney Games were asked, “What, programs. Do you have a team dermatologist? if any, were the three things that your coaches did that hurt your performance at the Games?” #2 Competition The most frequent response was “poor attitude and Kraemer, W. J., et al. (2001). Physiological and demeanor,” which was listed 34 times by athletes. performance responses to tournament wrestling. Med. “Poor communication and feedback” was cited 15 Sci. Sports Exerc., 33, 1367-1378. times. Poor physical training strategies, mismanagement of athlete selection process, lack of Twelve Penn State wrestlers lost 6% of total body availability/ accessibility, and poor pre-competition weight during the week before a simulated, 2-day preparation were other leading factors that reportedly freestyle wrestling tournament. Lower body power hurt performance. and upper body isometric strength were significantly “What helped?” Mental preparation and sport reduced as the tournament progressed. Elevations in psychology was listed most frequently as a coaching testosterone, cortisol, norepinephrine and lactate were action that helped performance, followed by physical observed after each match. These chemical are preparation, emotional support, technical / tactical indicators of stress. The combined effects of these preparation, positive attitude, and preparation for stresses may hinder a wrestler’s ability to maintain competition. top physical performance throughout a tournament. Applications: We may actually be going down in Application: performance as the most important matches come up. Gould states to coaches “…no matter what the initial Coaches should investigate and apply restorative characteristics of the individuals, unless there is a techniques for use during a tournament (massage, long and intensive process of encouragement, diet, relaxation/sleep aids, vibration therapy, others?) nurturance, education, training, the individuals will so performance does not decline. The limitations in not attain extreme levels of capability in the applying the findings from this study are the rules particular fields.” changes that have taken place since this study was done. International style tournaments complete a #5 Hydration Status of Wrestlers weight class in one day, and the match has been Bartok, C.D. et al Hydration Testing in Collegiate changed in length. The winner is the wrestler to win Wrestlers Undergoing Hypertonic Dehydration. Med. two out of three periods. The periods are two Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 510-517, minutes in length. 2004. This study supports a specific gravity cutoff of 1.020 #3-Psychology-Focus on the Coach for the identification of dehydration. This urine test is Hahesy, Michael J. Transformational leadership used in almost all weight control plans (NCAA and theories, attribution beliefs, and self-efficacy: A now many H.S. Federations) that certify you to qualitative study of one successful NCAA wrestling compete at a minimal weight class. Applications: coach.