Wrestling is one of the few sports where men of all sizes can compete.
became part of the Olympic Games in Greece in about 708 B.C. The sport requires strength, concentration, coordination, skill, agility, and muscular endurance. Wrestlers often use supplements to improve their performance or work out in hot rooms. However, the scientifically proven way to achieve the most out of your practice is to work-out in a moderate to cool room. So to optimize your performance during competition you must find the right diet for you. A safe weight loss program is also very important, improper weight loss has been the cause of several deaths. .
NCAA Weight Loss Regulations.
In 1997, three collegiate wrestlers died while trying to make weight for competition. The NCAA Committee worked to develop new rules to ensure the health and safety of athletes. The rules are as follows:.
Artificial weight loss practices such as the use of laxatives, emetics, steam rooms, and hot practice rooms are banned.
Weight classes will be established at the beginning of the season by a physician or athletic trainer. Athletes can modify their weight over 8 weeks of the season but cannot lose more than 1.5% of body weight per week. Also, athletes cannot fall below their established minimum body weight.
For dual meets, weigh-ins will be 1 hour before the start of the first match. For tournaments, weigh-ins will be 2 hours before the start of the first match on the first day and 1 hour before the first match on subsequent days.
All wrestling coaches must be required to be certified annually in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and first aid.
Deaths From RWL (Rapid Weight Loss).
In the year 1997 three previously healthy high school wrestlers in three different states died while trying to loose weight for upcoming competition from hypothermia and dehydration. In hours preceding the official weigh in all three wrestlers used similar rapid weight loss plans which consisted of dehydration and resulted in hypothermia.