WRESTLING ARTICLE

Widely recognized as the world's oldest competitive sport, wrestling has featured in every Olympic games since its ancient conception.
Successful wrestling training for both disciplines must develop a high level of anaerobic power in both the arms and the legs and excellent strength endurance (1). With bouts lasting up to a maximum of 5 minutes (depending on the age and level), high levels of blood lactate can accumulate in wrestlers from frequent intense bursts of activity and minimal rest periods.
Anaerobic endurance and capacity are more probably more important to the wrestler than pure aerobic endurance. Aerobic power is average in national wrestlers although values as high as 70mls/kg/min have been recorded in elite level wrestlers (2).
A major consideration for wrestlers is weight management. Rapid weight loss to make a weight category has profound adverse effects on the wrestler's physiology, particularly in relation to strength endurance (1). Both nutritional and training techniques can help to minimize any weight reduction required in the first place and also to minimize the negative effects of rapid weight loss.