Weight Management: The Basics
Alan C. Utter Ph.D., M.P.H., FACSM
Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science
Appalachian State University
As a former collegiate wrestler and coach, and now Professor and researcher it is my pleasure over the next 10 months to deliver a series of articles on issues related to body weight management for the scholastic wrestler. As of August, 2001, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS) have made the decision to spearhead a massive educational initiative aimed at delivering weight management programs to all educational institutions in the United States that currently have or in the future may have a wrestling program. I was pleased to be asked to be part of this far-reaching educational program that will ultimately lead to improved performance of scholastic wrestling programs throughout the country.
The primary purpose of any weight management program in wrestling is to ensure the future safety and health of scholastic wrestling programs and to maximize the performance of the individual wrestler. The rationale for developing a weight management program is in response to the concern for guidance among young wrestlers as they make decisions about diet, nutrition, and what weight class to compete at. As of 1998, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has implemented a wrestling weight management program which currently serves as a clearinghouse for all collegiate wrestlers throughout the country. In other words, every high school wrestler who has intentions of wrestling in college will be required by the NCAA to go through a weight management program. The NCAA?s weight management program was developed according to the following guiding principles:
1) elimination of all weight_control practices that could potentially risk the health of the wrestlers.
2) focus on competition, not weight control.
3) recommendations should be practical, enforceable and scientifically based.
It is well known that wrestlers often attempt to lose weight rapidly to gain a perceived competitive advantage over their opponent. An effective weight management program is designed to assist in avoiding potentially harmful weight loss practices utilized to achieve a specific weight class and at the same time promote optimal performance. A successful weight management program should consist of the following three essential components:
1) establishment of a healthy minimal wrestling body weight through body composition and hydration assessment.
2) development of a sound, gradual, and safe weight loss plan which includes nutritional education if weight loss is desired.
3) development of a nutritional educational program that is directed to the coach, individual wrestler, and parents.
In the upcoming issues it is my intent to discuss some of the intricate details involved in implementing a wrestling weight management program. Components to be discussed will include but are not limited to: 1) strengths, weaknesses, and accuracy of different methods to assess body fat; 2) assessment of hydration in wrestlers; 3) establishment of a minimal competing weight; 4) gradual and safe weight loss; 5) school?s responsibility in a weight management program; 6) costs associated with implementation of a weight management program; 7) nutrition and diet basics for the coach, wrestler, and parent; and others. Ultimately a number of these issues will be discussed by various state associations as decisions are made with respect to specific rules and regulations associated with their individual state weight management program. A couple of key states have taken the lead in the implementation of a wrestling weight management program, they include Michigan and Wisconsin. It is hoped that through the support of these states along with the guidance and direction of the NWCA and the NFHS that the development of weight management programs throughout the rest of the country will be an efficient and timely process.
Questions or concerns on the enclosed article:
email:utterac@appstate.edu
phone: 828-262-3094