Physical fitness factors to predict female Olympic wrestling performance and sex differences

J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Mar;26(3):794-803. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31824741e7.

Abstract

To determine differences in anthropometric, body composition, physiological and neuromuscular markers between elite and amateur female wrestlers, 35 female wrestlers were assigned into 4 groups according to their body mass (light and middle weight) and their competitive level (elite and amateur): light weight (between 49 and 58 kg) in elite (n = 6) and amateur (n = 12) levels, and middle weight (between 58 and 67 kg) in elite (n = 7) and amateur (n = 10) levels. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify which variables better predict female wrestling success. Elite female wrestlers were older (8-10%), had more training experience (27-29%), fat-free mass (3%), maximum strength in absolute and allometrically scaled values (13-33%), maximal muscle power (16-34%), mean and peak power during an arm crank Wingate testing in absolute and allometrically scaled values (17-23%), jumping height (2-9%) and grip (5-13%), and back isometric strength (10-13%) compared with amateur wrestlers (p < 0.05). When the results of the present research and those of a recent study performed in our laboratory with elite male wrestlers were compared, elite women presented lower (p < 0.05) maximum isometric and dynamic strength, muscle power output, and anaerobic metabolism values even when these data were normalized using allometric methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arm / physiology
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Female
  • Hand Strength / physiology
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction / physiology
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*
  • Running / physiology
  • Sex Factors
  • Wrestling / physiology*