Determining a minimum wrestling weight for interscholastic wrestlers.

BACKGROUND

Junior high school and high school boys participating in interscholastic wrestling are at risk when allowed to compete in a weight class that is too low, which can adversely affect their growth and general health. This study compared 3 different methods that physicians may use to determine the minimum wrestling weight of junior high and high school wrestlers.

METHODS

At an unannounced school visit, the minimum wrestling weight of the wrestlers was calculated on the basis of 3 different methods of estimating the percentage of body fat: (1) Lange calipers; (2) the Ross Laboratories Adipometer calipers; and (3) bioimpedance analysis.

RESULTS

Over a 2-year period, 104 boys interested in interscholastic wrestling participated in this comparison. Correlation among all 3 methods was very high (consistently more than 98%). However, the 2 caliper methods agreed most closely with each other, with the Ross caliper overestimating minimum wrestling weight by an average of 0.6 kg. As compared with the Lange caliper method, bioimpedance underestimated minimum wrestling weight by an average of 2 kg.

CONCLUSIONS

The agreement between the 2 caliper methods was sufficient to allow the simple, inexpensive caliper to be used instead of the more expensive Lange caliper. The bioimpedance method, which overestimated the percentage of body fat compared with the other methods, would allow too much weight loss. Using 3 quick skinfold measurements obtained with the inexpensive plastic Ross calipers and a chart of values, physicians can accurately calculate minimum wrestling weight for interscholastic wrestlers.