Physiological Alterations in 7- to 9-Year-Old Boys following a Season of Competitive Wrestling

Abstract

Muscular and aerobic capacity changes resulting from three months of wrestling training were examined in a group of normally active 7- to 9-year-old boys (N = 23) who competed in an intramural league tournament. A nontraining group of twenty-two boys of similar age, height, and weight served as control subjects, and were studied during the same period of time. The subjects were measured for body dimensions and skinfolds, and were given measures of back lift, leg press, and arm endurance (dips and chins). They were also measured for [Vdot]E max, [Vdot]O ₂ max, and HR max employing a progressive treadmill protocol. Results of ANCOVA analyses indicated that (1) the mean improvements in [Vdot]E max (2.93 1·min ⁻¹ ) and in [Vdot]O ₂ max (+ 6.6 ml·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ ) were not significantly greater than control (p > .05), nor was HR max; (2) arm endurance improved significantly over control (p < .05), as did the leg press, but the back lift was not improved significantly (p > .05); (3) no significant change occurred in height, weight, or in some of skinfolds (p > .05), but the wrestlers were less endomorphic and more ectomorphic than their control counterparts, and were judged essentially equivalent in mesomorphy. It is concluded that wrestling training in young boys improves strength, but does not improve aerobic capacity more than one would expect to see in normal children of similar age and size.

Key Words:

• strength training
• aerobic capacity
• maximum heart rate
• body composition
• wrestling
• children