SPORT-SEASONAL CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION, STRENGTH AND POWER OF COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS

Abstract

616 Changes in body composition, muscular strength, and anaerobic power of collegeaged wrestlers (N = 25, 19.3 ± 0.3 yrs) were studied pre-, mid-, and post-season. Wrestlers were divided into two groups “cyclers”(N=14) and “noncyclers” (N=11), based upon body weight fluctuation and self-reported dietary practices. Isometric strength measures were evaluated from a mid-thigh clean pull using a specially constructed isometric rack while standing on a 61.0 × 121.9 cm AMTI force plate. Body density was measured via hydrostatic weighing with residual volume determined via the nitrogen washout technique. For fat-free mass (FFM), a significant difference in the pattern of change was found [F(2, 46) = 9.52, p < 0.001], highlighted by a decrease in FFM (-2.9%, -2.1 Kg, -4.6 Lb.) at mid-season compared to pre-season for the cyclers. A significant increase (1.2 Kg, p = 0.025) in FFM occurred at post-season. No significant interaction effects were seen for percent body fat (%fat), fat mass (FM), anaerobic power (AP), or any of the isometric strength measures. Significant time main effects were found for% fat, body weight (BW), FM, and FFM. FFM correlated to isometric peak force (IPF) ( r = 0.53, p < 0.05) and isometric rate of force development (IRFD) ( r = 0.41, p < 0.05) at mid-season. Taken together, the data indicate that collegiate wrestlers who fluctuate their body weight throughout the competitive season lose a significant amount of FFM without concomitant decreases in isometric strength or power.