A study about physical characteristics and muscular function in rank destinction of collegiate Greco-Roman wrestlers

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of body composition and physical fitness, especially muscular strength, according to each weight class for collegiate Greco-Roman wrestlers with top-ranked in Japan. The subjects were fifteen national-leveled wrestlers with specialty of Greco-Roman style and were divided into three groups; light-weight class group (L group, n=5), medium-weight group (M group, n=6), heavy-weight class group (H group, n=4). The rank of value in % body fat was arranged in H group >M group >L group. On the one hand, the higher rate of lean body mass accounts for L group >M group >H group in turn. As to isometric strength, L group tended to indicated higher values in relative strength per body weight in hand grip, back extension, arm extension/flexion, and leg extension/flexion than M group and H group. Especially in the strength of back extension, M group showed significantly higher value than H group, and in the strength of arm flexion, L group indicated significantly higher value than H group. There was significantly positive relationship between absolute isometric strength and absolute isokinetic strength at 60, 180 and 300 deg/sec in leg extension/flexion. As to relative strength in leg extension/flexion, there was significantly positive correlation between isometric strength and isokinetic strength at 60 deg/sec. ln conclusion, it was suggested that the wrestlers in the higher weight class of Greco-Roman style event would need to increase lean body mass and improve static strength or near-static strength corresponding with their own body weight for athletic performance enhancement to the world level.</p>