A physiological profile of elite Canadian freestyle wrestlers

Abstract

There has been an improvement in Canadian freestyle wrestling performance over the past five years. Medals are now being won at World and Olympic competitions. The present investigation provides baseline physiological data which have been used in the prescription of individual training programs for these athletes. This information is also available to the coaches and contributes to the strategy for individual matches. Generally, the Canadian wrestlers have a physiological profile similar to elite wrestlers from other countries. Maximal aerobic power is comparable to or greater than previously reported values. Needle biopsies reveal exceptionally large fast twitch fibre areas in vastus lateralis. However, anaerobic capacity and upper body strength are less than values reported for other elite athletes.