Body Weight Changes at the National Wrestling Tournaments Across Ncaa Divisions I, Ii, and Iii.

The magnitude of weight gained following the weight-in (RWG) among NCAA Division I wrestling competitors was the focus of previous studies. The RWG was considered to be the result of rapid weight reduction prior to the weigh-in (RWR), competitive level (NCAA Division), and lack of assessment of competitors for appropriate weight classes. In 1998, the NCAA adopted new rules intended to dissuade RWR and RWG. Previous studies revealed a significant decrease (p≤.01) in RWG from 2.66 kg in 1992 to 0.66 kg in 1999. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to compare both RWR (over the ∼20 h prior to the weigh-in) and RWG (over the ∼10h period following the weigh-in) among NCAA Divisions (DI, DII, & DIII). METHODS: The RWR and RWG values across the various Divisions were measured utilizing the official scales at each NCAA National Wrestling Toumament. RESULTS: RWR and RWG (Mean ± SD) (excluding the heavyweight classes) follows:Table: No Captionl Available.There were no significant differences (p > .05) between the three NCAA Divisions for RWR or RWG. The variances observed in all Divisions demonstrated that ∼19% of the wrestlers still underwent RWR or RWG of ∼0.92 kg. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the continued impact of the NCAA Wrestling Weight Monitoring Program in dissuading RWR and RWG and requiring assessment of wrestlers for appropriate weight classes.