Physical Fitness Profile and Differences Between Light, Middle, and Heavy Weight-Class Groups of Japanese Elite Male Wrestlers

Abstract

.We investigated the physical fitness of Japanese elite male wrestlers and compared results by groupings of weight classes. Twenty-two elite Japanese male wrestlers (light, participants' body weight 59–65 kg, n = 7; middle, 71–88 kg, n = 8; and heavy, 99–122 kg, n = 7) recruited from wrestling squads participating in national training camps participated in this study. The 90-s maximal anaerobic power test (90-MAT) and maximal graded exercise test (MGT) were performed on a cycle ergometer. Relative peak power during the 90-MAT did not differ among groups (light: 9.0 ± 0.4 W·kg−1, middle: 9.3 ± 0.4 W·kg−1, heavy: 9.0 ± 0.5 W·kg−1, p > 0.05), but mean relative power in the heavy group was lower than that in the other groups (heavy: 4.5 ± 0.5 W·kg−1 vs. light: 5.3 ± 0.3 W·kg−1, P = 0.006, effect size [ES] = 1.83; vs. middle: 5.3 ± 0.4 W·kg−1, P = 0.009, ES = 1.61). Relative O2peak during the MGT was lower in the heavy group than that in the other groups. The present study provides baseline physiological data that can be used in the prescription of individual training programs for wrestlers.