Association between levels of sports participation and oral injuries among combat athletes / Associação entre níveis de participação no esporte e lesões orais em atletas de combate / Asociación entre niveles de participación en el deporte y lesiones orales en atletas de combate

ABSTRACT Introduction Oral injuries are common traumas in combat sports due to the aggressive nature of both offense and defense. Sports mouth guards are made to reduce the risk of traumatic face and jaw injuries and concussions during sports activities. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral injuries in combat sports and to examine the association between participation levels and percentage of injury occurrence. Methods One hundred and eight participants (mean age: 22.42 ± 2.162 years) who were involved in sparring events were recruited. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions about the demographic profile of the athletes, their injury experience and type of injuries sustained, awareness and use of mouth guards in sports activities. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied for data analysis. Results Almost 77% of participants had experienced oral injuries during sports activities and nearly 90% were aware that oral injuries can be reduced by using mouth guards. In addition, 52.7% of participants complained that the mouth guard is not comfortable to use during sports activities. Findings revealed a significant moderate association between levels of participation and number of oral injuries ( p = 0.013). One-way ANOVA showed a significant mean difference in the rate of oral injury for the four levels of participation groups F (3, 104) = 6.21, p = 0.011. Post-hoc comparisons using the Bonferroni test indicated a significant mean difference between university-state levels ( p = 0.033) and university-national levels ( p = 0.028). Conclusion This study revealed that higher levels of participation in sports have a higher risk of injury. It was also found that the discomfort of using a mouth guard can be reduced if the coaches make the athletes wear proper mouth guards that follow the recommended specifications. Level of evidence IIIb; Case control study.

RESUMO Introdução As lesões orais são traumas comuns nos esportes de combate, devido à natureza agressiva tanto do ataque quanto da defesa. Os protetores bucais esportivos são feitos para diminuir o risco de lesões traumáticas na face e na mandíbula; e também de concussão durante as atividades esportivas. Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência de lesões orais em esportes de combate e examinar a associação entre níveis de participação e a porcentagem de ocorrência de lesões. Métodos Foram recrutados cento e oito participantes (média de idade: 22,42 ± 2,162 anos) envolvidos em eventos de combate. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário composto por 22 perguntas sobre o perfil demográfico dos atletas, sua experiência com lesões e tipo de lesões sofridas, conhecimento e uso de protetores bucais em atividades esportivas. A análise descritiva, o teste do qui-quadrado e a análise de variância (ANOVA) foram aplicados para análise dos dados. Resultados Quase 77% dos participantes sofreram lesões orais durante atividades esportivas e quase 90% estavam cientes de que as lesões orais podem ser reduzidas com o uso de protetores bucais. Além disso, 52,7% dos participantes reclamaram que o protetor bucal não é confortável para uso durante as atividades esportivas. Os achados revelaram associação moderada significativa entre níveis de participação e número de lesões orais (p = 0,013). A ANOVA unilateral mostrou uma diferença média significativa na taxa de lesão oral nos quatro níveis dos grupos de participação F (3, 104) = 6,21, p = 0,011. As comparações post-hoc usando o teste de Bonferroni indicaram diferença média significativa entre os níveis universitário-estadual (p = 0,033) e os níveis universitário-nacional (p = 0,028). Conclusão Este estudo revelou que níveis mais altos de participação no esporte representam maior risco de lesões. Verificou-se também que a sensação de desconforto ao usar protetor bucal pode ser reduzida se os treinadores fizerem com que os atletas usem protetores bucais adequados, que sigam as especificações recomendadas. Nível de evidência IIIb; Estudo Caso-Controle .

RESUMEN Introducción Las lesiones orales son traumas comunes en los deportes de combate, debido a la naturaleza agresiva tanto del ataque como de la defensa. Los protectores bucales deportivos son hechos para disminuir el riesgo de lesiones traumáticas en el rostro y en la mandíbula; y también de concusión en las actividades deportivas. Objetivo Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de lesiones orales en deportes de combate y examinar la asociación entre los niveles de participación y el porcentaje de ocurrencia de lesiones. Métodos Fueron reclutados ciento ocho participantes (promedio de edad: 22,42 ± 2,162 años) involucrados en eventos de combate. Los datos fueron colectados a través de un cuestionario compuesto por 22 preguntas sobre el perfil demográfico de los atletas, su experiencia con lesiones y tipo de lesiones sufridas, conocimiento y uso de protectores bucales en actividades deportivas. El análisis descriptivo, el test de chi-cuadrado y el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) fueron aplicados para el análisis de los datos. Resultados Casi 77% de los participantes sufrió lesiones orales durante las actividades deportivas y casi 90% tenía conocimiento de que las lesiones orales pueden ser reducidas con el uso de protectores bucales. Además, 51,7% de los participantes reclamaron que el protector bucal no es confortable para uso durante las actividades deportivas. Los hallazgos revelaron asociación moderada significativa entre niveles de participación y número de lesiones orales (p = 0,013). El ANOVA unidireccional mostró una diferencia promedio significativa en la tasa de lesión oral en los cuatro niveles de grupos de participación F (3,104) = 6,21, p = 0,011. Las comparaciones post hoc usando el test de Bonferroni indicaron una diferencia promedio significativa entre los niveles universitario-estatal (p = 0,033) y los niveles universitario-nacional (p = 0,028). Conclusión Este estudio reveló que niveles más altos de participación en el deporte representan mayor riesgo de lesiones. Se verificó también que la sensación de incomodidad al usar protectores bucales adecuados puede reducirse si los entrenadores hacen con que los atletas usen protectores bucales adecuados, que sigan las especificaciones recomendadas. Nivel de evidencia IIIb; Estudio Caso-Control.

High School Football and Late-Life Risk of Neurodegenerative Syndromes, 1956-1970.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether athletes who played American varsity high school football between 1956 and 1970 have an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all male varsity football players between 1956 and 1970 in the public high schools of Rochester, Minnesota, and non-football-playing male varsity swimmers, wrestlers, and basketball players. Using the medical records linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, we ascertained the incidence of late-life neurodegenerative diseases: dementia, parkinsonism, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We also recorded medical record-documented head trauma during high school years. RESULTS: We identified 296 varsity football players and 190 athletes engaging in other sports. Football players had an increased risk of medically documented head trauma, especially if they played football for more than 1 year. Compared with nonfootball athletes, football players did not have an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease overall or of the individual conditions of dementia, parkinsonism, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CONCLUSION: In this community-based study, varsity high school football players from 1956 to 1970 did not have an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases compared with athletes engaged in other varsity sports. This was from an era when there was a generally nihilistic view of concussion dangers, less protective equipment, and no prohibition of spearing (head-first tackling). However, the size and strength of players from previous eras may not be comparable with that of current high school athletes.

Epidemiology of Elbow Dislocations in High School Athletes.

BACKGROUND: The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated major joint in the general population. Previous studies that focused on emergency department populations indicate that such injuries occur most frequently among adolescent athletes. PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiological rates and patterns of sports-related elbow dislocations in high school athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Sports-related injury data for the 2005-2006 through 2013-2014 academic years from a national convenience sample of high schools participating in the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study (High School Reporting Information Online [RIO]) were analyzed. RESULTS: Certified athletic trainers participating in High School RIO reported 115 of 1246 (9.2%) elbow injuries as elbow dislocations. A total of 30,415,179 athlete exposures (AEs) were reported during the study period, resulting in a dislocation rate of 0.38 per 100,000 AEs. The majority of the dislocations resulted from boys' wrestling (46.1%) and football (37.4%). Elbow dislocation rates were higher in competition than in practice. Also, 91.3% of dislocations occurred in boys' sports. Among both boys (60.4%) and girls (88.9%), the majority of injuries occurred during varsity sports activities. Contact with another person was the most common injury mechanism (46.9%), followed by contact with the playing surface (46.0%). Dislocations more commonly resulted in removal from play for more than 3 weeks (23.4% vs 6.9%, respectively) or medical disqualification (36.9% vs 7.0%, respectively) compared with other elbow injuries. Dislocations were also more likely to result in surgical treatment than other elbow injuries (13.6% vs 4.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: In high school athletes, elbow dislocations result in longer removal from play and are more likely to require surgical treatment than nondislocation-associated elbow injuries. Rates and patterns of elbow dislocations vary by sport. In high-risk sports, focused sport-specific prevention strategies may help to decrease the rates and severity of elbow dislocation injuries.

Eating disorders and diet management in contact sports; EAT-26 questionnaire does not seem appropriate to evaluate eating disorders in sports / Desórdenes alimentarios y supervisión dietética en deportes de contacto; el cuestionario EAT-26 no parece apropiado para evaluar desórdenes alimentarios en deportistas

Introduction: there is a growing concern in the appearance of eating disorders in athletes, especially those that practice sports grouped into weight categories. This affects the way athletes eat, using frequently unhealthy strategies to control weight, especially during the pre-competition period. Aim: this study analyses the prevalence of contact sports athletes in developing eating disorders, and how a controlled diet plan can reduce this risk. At the same time, it evaluates the use of the EAT-26 questionnaire to detect such disorders. Methods: a randomized frequency study was performed on 244 athletes (158 men, 86 women), who were separated into two groups: those that followed a diet plan given by a nutritionist, and a control group on a free diet. The athletes completed an EAT-26 questionnaire while participating in the University-level National Championships. Results: the free diet group scored significantly higher on the questionnaire. Also, the female athletes controlled diet group scored significantly higher than their male counterparts. Discussion: the results of the questionnaire indicate that an adequate nutritional program circumvents the use of unhealthy habits to control body weight and therefore avoids developing particular eating disorders. EAT-26 questionnaire does not seem the most appropriate tool to detect these disorders (AU)

Introducción: existe una preocupación creciente por los desórdenes alimentarios en deportistas, especialmente en aquellos que practican deportes agrupados en categorías de peso. Esto afecta a la manera de comer de los deportistas, usando con frecuencia estrategias no saludables para control del peso, en especial en periodo precompetitivo. Objetivo: este estudio analiza la prevalencia de desórdenes alimentarios en deportistas de deportes de contacto, y cómo una planificación dietética controlada puede reducir el riesgo. También valora el uso del cuestionario EAT-26 para detectar dichos desórdenes. Métodos: ha sido realizado un estudio aleatorizado de frecuencias en 244 deportistas (158 varones, 86 mujeres), que fueron separados en dos grupos: los que seguían un plan dietético proporcionado por un nutricionista y un grupo control con una dieta libre. Los participantes rellenaron el cuestionario EAT-26 mientras participaban en los Campeonatos Universitarios Nacionales. Resultados: el grupo con dieta libre puntuó con valores más altos en el cuestionario. Al mismo tiempo, las deportistas que seguían una dieta controlada puntuaron de forma significativa en el cuestionario respecto a los varones del mismo grupo. Discusión: los resultados del cuestionario indican que una adecuada planificación nutricional evita el uso de hábitos poco saludables para controlar el peso corporal, evitando desarrollar desórdenes alimentarios particulares. El cuestionario EAT-26 no parece la herramienta más apropiada para detectar estos desórdenes (AU)

The very high premature mortality rate among active professional wrestlers is primarily due to cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE: Recently, much media attention has been given to the premature deaths in professional wrestlers. Since no formal studies exist that have statistically examined the probability of premature mortality in professional wrestlers, we determined survival estimates for active wresters over the past quarter century to establish the factors contributing to the premature mortality of these individuals. METHODS: Data including cause of death was obtained from public records and wrestling publications in wrestlers who were active between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 2011. 557 males were considered consistently active wrestlers during this time period. 2007 published mortality rates from the Center for Disease Control were used to compare the general population to the wrestlers by age, BMI, time period, and cause of death. Survival estimates and Cox hazard regression models were fit to determine incident premature deaths and factors associated with lower survival. Cumulative incidence function (CIF) estimates given years wrestled was obtained using a competing risks model for cause of death. RESULTS: The mortality for all wrestlers over the 26-year study period was.007 deaths/total person-years or 708 per 100,000 per year, and 16% of deaths occurred below age 50 years. Among wrestlers, the leading cause of deaths based on CIF was cardiovascular-related (38%). For cardiovascular-related deaths, drug overdose-related deaths and cancer deaths, wrestler mortality rates were respectively 15.1, 122.7 and 6.4 times greater than those of males in the general population. Survival estimates from hazard models indicated that BMI is significantly associated with the hazard of death from total time wrestling (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Professional wrestlers are more likely to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease compared to the general population and morbidly obese wrestlers are especially at risk. Results from this study may be useful for professional wrestlers, as well as wellness policy and medical care implementation.

Increased mortality rate and suicide in Swedish former elite male athletes in power sports.

Physical training has been shown to reduce mortality in normal subjects, and athletes have a healthier lifestyle after their active career as compared with normal subjects. Since the 1950s, the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been frequent, especially in power sports. The aim of the present study was to investigate mortality, including causes of death, in former Swedish male elite athletes, active 1960-1979, in wrestling, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and the throwing events in track and field when the suspicion of former AAS use was high. Results indicate that, during the age period of 20-50 years, there was an excess mortality of around 45%. However, when analyzing the total study period, the mortality was not increased. Mortality from suicide was increased 2-4 times among the former athletes during the period of 30-50 years of age compared with the general population of men. Mortality rate from malignancy was lower among the athletes. As the use of AAS was marked between 1960 and 1979 and was not doping-listed until 1975, it seems probable that the effect of AAS use might play a part in the observed increased mortality and suicide rate. The otherwise healthy lifestyle among the athletes might explain the low malignancy rates.

Physiological profile of elite Chinese female wrestlers.

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the physiological profile of elite, senior Chinese female wrestlers. Twenty-five elite wrestlers, nationally ranked in the top 3 of their weight class, participated in this study. The subjects included Olympic and world champion medalists. The physiological profile included testing of running maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), 3,200-m run time, 400-m run time, 30-second Wingate anaerobic power and capacity, shoulder, elbow, knee, and trunk isokinetic torque, and 1 repetition maximums (1RMs) in specified exercises. The major results (mean ± SD) were VO2max: 50.58 ± 3.33 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1); 3,200-m run: 14 minutes 1 second ± 49 seconds; 400-m run: 1 minute 11 seconds ± 4 seconds; Wingate maximal anaerobic power: 495.21 ± 79.13 W and mean power: 262.97 ± 52.39 W; 1RM deadlift: 124 ± 19 kg; 1RM deep squat: 98 ± 11 kg; 1RM prone rowing: 72 ± 8 kg; 1RM power clean: 76 ± 12 kg; and 1RM hold and squat: 109 ± 17 kg. In absolute terms in the majority of measures, the heavier weight classes had greater values than the lighter weight classes, but relative to body mass, there were few differences in measures between the weight classes. The Olympic and World Championship medalist had the best value or was at the upper end of a measure's range for the strength and power measures. The results indicate that female wrestling success is not dependent on one physiological characteristic, but that a variety of physiological profiles can result in success. These data on elite female wrestlers can be compared with other wrestlers to help determine individual weaknesses or strengths and to design training programs that result in wrestling success.

Effectiveness of body wipes as an adjunct to reducing skin infections in high school wrestlers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare soap-and-water body wipes and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) body wipes to a CONTROL (no treatment) in reducing skin infections in high school wrestlers competing in weekend tournaments. DESIGN: Repeated measures study evaluating a soap-and-water body wipe, a 70% IPA body wipe, and no-treatment CONTROL during 2 weekend tournaments. SETTING: High school wrestling tournaments in Minneapolis-St Paul and surrounding communities of Minnesota. INTERVENTION: Each team was randomly assigned to use either wipe or serve as CONTROL during each tournament. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of skin infections that developed the following week after a weekend tournament. RESULTS: A total of 151 athletes competed in a total of 474 individual matches. Thirteen athletes tested positive afterward for skin infections. The odds of infection for the tested group compared with the CONTROL group were 0.089 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01-0.75; P = 0.026] for the soap-and-water group and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.11-1.69; P = 0.23) for 70% IPA group. CONCLUSIONS: Soap-and-water wipes seem to be more effective in reducing skin infections compared with the no-treatment group.

Episodes of injuries and frequent usage of traditional Chinese medicine for Taiwanese elite wrestling athletes.

Wrestling normally places extreme demands on the body and thus may cause various kinds of injuries. An in-depth understanding of the episodes of injured sites, types, timings, and treatment modalities would help participants be aware of wrestling-related injury occurrences so as to develop effective preventive measures. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the gender-specific injuries among elite wrestling athletes. Subjects were selected from the 2009 Taiwanese National Wrestling Sport Championship. Participants were adolescent wrestling athletes, ages 16-18, who must have received at least one bronze medal at national level tournaments in 2008. A total of 118 respondents, 96 males and 22 females, completed and returned the questionnaire in which demographic data and information about the types, sites, and timings of injuries suffered and treatment modalities adopted were elicited. The data were analyzed with independent t-tests. The questionnaire results revealed a significantly higher injury rate for males than for females. The top three injured sites for males were waist (11.1%), ankle joint (10.1%) and finger (9.6%); while for females were ankle joint (13.6%), knee (12.5%) and waist (11.3%). Contusions were the most frequent type of injury: for males (73.5%) and for females (70.6%); followed by tendon inflammation for males (10.7%) and accumulated injuries for females (15.2%). During training and matching periods, the frequency of injuries for males (69.0%) is lower than that for females (81.8%). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with acupuncture and moxibustion was the most common treatment modalities used for males (51.8%) and for females (68.0%); followed by orthopedics: for males (29.5%) and for females (18.0%). The present study contributed as the first effort to reveal the potency of using TCM with acupuncture and moxibustion in wrestling competitions. To prevent possible brain and body injuries in wrestling, safety education, skills and rules, and scoring systems may require further revision. Increased training of wrestling health professionals and advanced research and development of auxiliary training devices and protective equipment for wrestling athletes are also recommended.

Wrestling injuries during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

BACKGROUND: Better understanding of the incidence, mechanisms, and characteristics of potential injuries in wrestling helps to implement preventive measures to better care for these athletes. Several studies have investigated the incidence and type of injuries in amateur and intercollegiate wrestling; however, there is a lack of studies that review the incidence and nature of injuries in elite wrestlers during Olympic Games or World Championships. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the injury profile of elite senior wrestlers in Greco-Roman, freestyle, and female wrestling during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiologic study. METHODS: Study participants consisted of 343 wrestlers participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Standard checkoff forms were used to collect the injury data, including injury type, severity, location, timing, and mechanism. RESULTS: A total of 343 athletes sustained 32 injuries during 406 matches, which is equivalent to an overall incidence of 9.30 injuries per 100 athletes and 7.88 injuries per 100 matches. Among the 3 styles, freestyle had the highest injury rate (10.1%) and female wrestling the lowest (7.5%). In sum, 84.4% of all injuries were categorized as mild. Although the overall injury rate in male athletes was slightly higher than that among female athletes (9.7% versus 7.5%), this difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval = 0.46-3.68; P = .40). CONCLUSION: The rate and severity of wrestling injuries during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were lower than previous reports. No serious and catastrophic injury was recorded, and most injuries were minor.

Population-based estimates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Areus (MRSA) infections among high school athletes--Nebraska, 2006-2008.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging cause of skin and soft-tissue infections among athletes. To determine statewide incidence among high school athletes, we surveyed all 312 Nebraska high schools regarding sport programs offered, program-specific participation numbers, number of athletes with physician-diagnosed MRSA infections, and athlete's sport at infection onset. Among 271 (86.9%) schools responding, MRSA infections were reported among one or more athletes by 4.4% (12/270) and 14.4% (39/271) during school years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, respectively. From 2006-2007 to 2007-2008, MRSA incidence per 10,000 wrestlers increased from 19.6 to 60.1, and incidence per 10,000 football players increased from 5.0 to 25.1. We did not identify differences in distribution of MRSA infections on the basis of grade, school enrollment, location, or number of participants per team. Incidence of reported MRSA infections among football players and wrestlers was substantially higher during 2007-2008, compared with 2006-2007.

Commonly affected body sites in 92 Japanese combat sports participants with Trichophyton tonsurans infection.

Outbreaks of Trichophyton tonsurans infection constitute one of the serious problems among combat sports practitioners in Japan. To facilitate the diagnosis of individuals at risk, we undertook a study to determine which body sites are most commonly infected. We reviewed medical data, hairbrush culture results and questionnaire information from patients with T. tonsurans infection who were admitted to the dermatology clinic of Juntendo University hospital from 2000 to 2004. The study included 92 patients (87 males), aged 6-38 years (mean age: 18.4 years old). Eighty-nine patients were judo practitioners and three were wrestlers. Twenty-eight patients (30.4%) were asymptomatic carriers. In 64 patients, 51 patients (55.4%) with tinea corporis, 27 patients (29.3%) with tinea capitis, and/or one patient (1.1%) with tinea manuum were seen. Tinea corporis was observed on the forehead, auricles, nape of the neck, bilateral shoulders, left side of the upper chest, both elbows, back of the left hand to the wrist and both knees. Tinea capitis was most common in the occipitonuchal region at the hairline and in the temporal and frontal regions, at both auricles. Initial screening of these sites might facilitate the identification of the infection especially in judo practitioners.

Managing herpes gladiatorum outbreaks in competitive wrestling: the 2007 Minnesota experience.

Skin infections in wrestling have escalated in the past 20 yr. Failure to recognize and manage primary or recurrent herpes gladiatorum (HG) puts all wrestlers who come in direct contact with the affected athlete at risk. In 2007, a major outbreak of HG occurred during the Minnesota State High School wrestling season. Rapid response to the outbreak based upon lessons learned from previous episodes in the state prevented an epidemic from developing that would have threatened the state competitions at the end of the season. When a primary outbreak occurred involving multiple teams, an 8-d isolation period with suspended competition contained the outbreak in more than 90% of exposed individuals. Prophylactic treatment with antiviral medications can reduce recurrent infections, the risk of asymptomatic viral shedding, and can be based upon annual herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing to identify seropositive individuals. Those with recurrent HG or who are HSV seropositive should be placed on seasonal prophylaxis with oral antiviral medication to reduce the risk of HG spread to susceptible teammates or opponents. With proper education of athletes, coaches, and health care providers, HG can be recognized, treated, and controlled.

Risk of hepatitis B infections in Olympic wrestling.

OBJECTIVE: First, to investigate the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and occult HBV infection (OC-HBV) in Turkish Olympic wrestlers. Second, to examine the relationship between HBV DNA values in sweat and blood. METHODS: A total of 70 male Olympic wrestlers were recruited as the study sample. RESULTS: As a result of the standard monoclonal antibody based hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection, none of the Olympic wrestlers carried HBsAg in this study. On the other hand, according to real time PCR for serum HBV DNA detection in this study, 9 (13%) of the wrestlers had OC-HBV infection. Eight (11%) of the participants had HBV DNA in their sweat. In addition, there was a significant relationship between HBV DNA values in the blood and sweat of the wrestlers (r = 0.52, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to bleeding wounds and mucous membranes, sweating may be another way of transmitting HBV infections in contact sports. An HBV test should be done and each wrestler should be vaccinated at the start of his career.

Factors related to rapid weight loss practices among international-style wrestlers.

PURPOSE: The deaths of three intercollegiate wrestlers in 1997 prompted the NCAA and governing bodies that oversee high school sports to adopt new policies prohibiting unsafe weight loss practices. Similar policies have not yet been adopted for international style wrestling, a style that attracts thousands of youth once the regulated scholastic season is over. Therefore, this study examined the rapid weight loss practices in high school wrestlers participating in international style wrestling. To do this, rapid weight gain (RWG), an index that reflects the degree of rapid weight loss (RWL), was examined. METHODS: Wrestlers (N = 2638) participating in the 1997 and 1998 National wrestling championships were randomly selected to be weighed at matside with electronic scales. The methods wrestlers used to accomplish weight loss were also assessed in a subsample of wrestlers. RESULTS: Wrestlers gained an average of 3.4 kg, which represents a 4.81% gain of body weight. The range across weight classes and age groups was -2.68 kg (-2.1% loss of body weight) to +16.73 kg (13.4% gain of body weight). No differences in RWG existed as a function of the represented state teams. In addition, wrestlers who were older and more successful (i.e., placers) gained significantly more weight that their younger and less successful counterparts (P < 0.001). Excessive running, using saunas, and wearing vapor-impermeable suits were cited as the most common methods used to achieve RWL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RWL still exists in international style wrestling, and similar policies to those recently instituted by the NCAA are warranted.

The validity of anthropometric regression equations in predicting percent body fat in collegiate wrestlers.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the validity of previously-developed anthropometric regression equations in determination of percent body fat in collegiate wrestlers (N=22). METHODS: Means (M) standard deviations (SD), correlation coefficients, standard errors of estimate (SEE) and total errors (TE) were compared to the criterion test of hydrostatic weighing (HW), (M=12.49%, SD=4.67%). RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed the equations of Lohman (M=12.94%, SD=3.59%, R=0.743, SEE=3.13%, TE=3.58%), Katch and McArdle (M=12.41%, SD=3.41 %, R=0.750, SEE=3.10%, TE=3.18%), and Tipton and Oppliger (M= 11.89%, SD=3.01%, R=0.763, SEE=3.03%, TE=3.63%) to be valid. The equations of Thorland et al. (M=14.11%, SD=5.12%, R=0.711, SEE=3.27%, TE=4.89%), Durning and Wommersley (M=14.075, SD=4.45%, R=0.741, SEE=3.13%, TE=4.71%), Jackson and Pollock (M=9.76%, SD=3.13%, R=0.737, SEE=3.17%, TE=5.90%), and Sinning (M=10.84%, SD=4.19%, R=0.741, SEE=3.13%, TE=4.78%) were significantly different from HW. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the above-validated formulas have acceptably low SEE's and TE's to be of practical value in determination of appropriate weight classes for collegiate wrestlers.

Injuries in collegiate wrestling.

We evaluated the data of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System on collegiate wrestling with a focus on musculoskeletal injuries. Over 800,000 athlete-exposures during an 11-year period compose these data. Findings particular to wrestling and a comparison with other collegiate sports are included. Collegiate wrestling had a relatively high rate of injury at 9.6 injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures. It was second to spring football in total injury rate. Most injuries in this study were not serious, with 6.3% resulting in surgery and 37.6% resulting in a week or more off from wrestling. There was only one catastrophic, nonfatal injury. The knee, shoulder, and ankle were the most commonly injured regions, and injuries to them were often the more serious. Sprains, strains, and contusions were the most common injury types. Takedowns and sparring were the most common activities at the time of injury. Mechanism of injury was evaluated; rotation about a planted foot and contact with environmental objects were identified as areas needing further attention. Illegal action accounted for only 4.6% of injuries in competition. Competition had a significantly higher injury rate than practice, but the injury profiles of these two areas showed both to be equally important. The preseason and regular season had higher injury rates than the postseason, but, again, the injury profiles of these periods were similar. Injury percentages were similar among the 10 weight classes.