Special Strength and Conditioning Profile of Elite Chinese Female

Wrestlers

Z. H. He

Biology Department, China Institute of Sport Science, 11 Tiyuanguan Road, Beijing, China

Keywords: Muscle Strength, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Capacity.

Abstract: Our hypothesis that measures of special strength and conditioning parameters would differentiate between

more successful and less successful elite Chinese female wrestlers. The Olympic and world championship

medallists had the highest value for dead lift and hold and squat, but other parameters did not attain

significant difference. This indicates strength and power, but not aerobic ability differentiates between very

successful female wrestlers and less successful female wrestlers. The percentile physiological profiles can

help wrestlers and coaches to individualize the training program to minimize physiological weaknesses and

develop wrestling strategies to take advantage of individual wrestler’s strengths.

1 INTRODUCTION

Wrestling as a sport demands several specific

characteristics, including maximal strength, aerobic

endurance, and anaerobic capabilities to achieve

success in competition. Therefore, the major aim of

the present study was to investigate the physiological

profiles of elite female wrestlers and how

physiological characteristics relate to success in

competition.

2 METHODS

Fifty elite female wrestlers were divided into three

groups according to their best performance. Group 1

included the athletes who ranked in the top-3 in the

Olympic Games and World Championship. Group 2

included the athletes who ranked in the top-3 in the

National Games and National Championship. Group

3 included the athletes who ranked in 5-8 in the

National Championship. The special strength and

conditioning profile included testing of 3,200 m run

time, 400 m run time, and one repetition maximums

(1 RM) in specified exercises(dead lift, deep squat,

prone rowing, power clean and hold and squat).

Percentile method was used to evaluate the

parameter profile. The measurements were

performed from 2006 to 2012 when the athletes were

in national team preparing for Olympic Games.

3 RESULTS

The above P70 value of 3200m and 400m run time

were≤13min 43 second and ≤1min 6 seconds,

respectively. Above P70 absolute (relative) value for

1RM were dead lift: ≥ 140kg (2.19); deep squat: ≥

110kg (1.70); prone rowing: ≥ 77kg (1.25); power

clean: ≥ 79kg (1.30) and hold and squat: ≥ 115kg

(1.90). Dead lift and hold and squat were significant

higher in Group1 than Group2 and Group3, but other

parameters were no significance among three

groups.

4 DISCUSSION

Female wrestling has grown in popularity since

being accepted into the Olympic Games in 2004. We

are aware of only one study profiling the

physiological characteristics of female wrestlers. Our

initial hypothesis that measures of special strength

and conditioning parameters, would differentiate

between more successful and less successful elite

Chinese female wrestlers, was in part supported. The

Olympic and world championship medalists had the

highest value for dead lift and hold and squat, but

other parameters did not attain significant difference.

This indicates strength and power, but not aerobic

ability differentiates between very successful female

wrestlers and less successful female wrestlers. The

H. He Z..

Special Strength and Conditioning Proﬁle of Elite Chinese Female Wrestlers.

 2013 SCITEPRESS (Science and Technology Publications, Lda.)