Reliability of the field tests for specific wrestling preparedness evaluation

The subject of this research is the examination of the possibility of diagnosing the specific preparation of wrestlers using field tests. Based on this, the main aim was to determine the level of reliability of the specific field tests for wrestlers, in the function of practical applicability. The research involved 31 wrestlers from Serbia, the average age of 21.61 ± 3.36 years (≥18 years of age). In regard to the applied methods, field testing was used as the basic method in the research. In order to define the reliability of the two specific field tests, a test-retest procedure was used in two ways: "trial-to-trial" and "day-to-day". The subjects were tested using the following measurement procedures: "Specific Wrestling Fitness Test" (SWFT) - consisted of three throwing segments of 30 seconds, with a break of 20 seconds; and "Specific Wrestling Performance Test" (SWPT) - consisted of two 3-minute segments, simulating a round in combat, with a break of 30 seconds. In order to normalize the load in the tests, three wrestling dummies with different weights (22 kg, 27 kg, 32 kg) were used, and the technique the "suplex" as a standard throw for all respondents. In defined field tests there were measured and evaluated: wrestler preparation parameters relative to the calculation model (total number of throws during the test - UB Bacanja, specific judo fitness index - SJFIndeks, specific wrestling performance index - SRPIndeks), functional characteristics (pulse frequency sampled immediately after the end of the test - HR0min., in the first - HR1min., in the second - HR2min., in the third - HR3min., in the fourth - HR4min., and in the fifth minute recovery - HR5min.) and the metabolic characteristics (lactate concentration sampled in third - La3min., and in the fifth minute of recovery - La5min.). For the purpose of determining the reliability, correlation statistics, linear regression analysis, analysis of determining the differences and reliability parameters (Cronbach's Alpha) were used. The results have shown that SWFT and SWPT, are reliable methods of assessing the level of achieved specific preparedness in the wrestling sport. By defining a more reliable sampling method, it has been established that the "day-to-day" test method is more reliable, regardless to the test. Also regardless to the test-retest sampling method, SWPT is more reliable to assess the specific wrestlers preparation.