Kraemer, W. J., Fry, A. C., Rubin, M. R., Triplett-McBride, T., Gordon, S. E., Koziris, L. P., Lynch, J. M., Volek, J. S., Meuffels, D. E., Newton, R. U., & Fleck, S. J. (2001). Physiological and performance responses to tournament wrestling. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33, 1367-1378.

This study investigated the physiological and performance responses to a simulated freestyle-wrestling tournament after typical weight loss techniques were used. Males (N = 12) lost 6% of body weight during the week before a simulated 2-d wrestling tournament. Ss were tested at baseline and before and after each individual match in the event.

Lower body power and upper body isometric strength decreased significantly as the tournament progressed. Testosterone decreased significantly in later matches. Norepinephrine increased significantly after each match. Epinephrine increased significantly after all matches except the final contest. Plasma osmality was consistently higher than normal in baseline and after each match.

Implication. Weight loss and tournament demands combine to overly stress wrestlers in a 2-d tournament.

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