Author(s): ODA, K., OYAMA, T., TANAKA, A., HIKAWA, K., OISHI, T., KAJIO, Y., TANAKA, T., NAKAJIMA, K., Institution: SENDAI UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 542

INTRODUCTION:
Wrestling is a weight-class sport in which rapid weight loss (RWL) before competition is prevalent. While RWL is known to impair physical conditioning, its specific association with injury incidence during domestic competitions remains unreported. This study aimed at investigating the actual situation of weight loss and its relationship with injuries across different weight classes to provide insights into future injury prevention strategies.
METHODS:
The study included 232 male athletes who sustained in-competition injuries requiring medical treatment during major domestic tournaments held between December 2023 and May 2024. Participants were categorized into three groups: lightweight (55–61 kg, n=65), middleweight (63–74 kg, n=89), and heavyweight (77–130 kg, n=78). Injury rates per 1,000 matches were calculated. For athletes who lost at least 1 kg from their normal body weight, absolute weight loss (kg) and weight loss percentage (%) were determined. Data were compared using one-way ANOVA.
RESULTS:
Injury rates per 1,000 matches were 45.5 for the lightweight, 66.5 for the middleweight, and 53.1 for the heavyweight division, showing no significant differences between the groups. The average weight loss was 5.1 ± 2.2 kg (8.2 ± 3.2%) for the lightweight division, 4.6 ± 2.5 kg (6.3 ± 3.3%) for the middleweight division, and 4.0 ± 2.0 kg (4.7 ± 2.3%) for the heavyweight division. While no significant difference was observed in absolute weight loss (kg) across the three groups, the weight loss percentage (%) was significantly higher in the lightweight division than in the middleweight and heavyweight divisions, and significantly higher in the middleweight division than in the heavyweight division.
CONCLUSION:
The results revealed that athletes in lighter weight classes had a higher weight loss percentage relative to their body weight. Notably, 63.8% of the total participants exceeded the previously reported acceptable weight reduction limit of 5% of body weight. These findings suggest that a high weight loss percentage may lead to a decline in physical conditioning, potentially contributing to the occurrence of injuries during competition. Further investigation is required to analyze the specific duration and methods of weight loss to refine injury prevention protocols.