Body composition of high school wrestlers according to age and wrestling weight category

Abstract

The body composition of 94 high school wrestlers, 15 to 18 years of age and 98 to 233 lbs., was measured using skinfold and girth measurements. Three regression formulae were used to predict body density and percent body fat, and comparisons were made by age and wrestling weight category. There was a 25% increase in total body fat from age 15 to 18, while individual skinfolds increased 37% for the scapula, 28% for the iliac and 19% for the abdomen. The bicep showed a small increase of 2%, while triceps fat decreased 5%. When the wrestlers were grouped into one of 13 wrestling weight groups, the absolute skin-fold values increased with weight increases. Comparing the two most extreme groups, the heaviest individuals (208 pounds) had 208% more total skinfold fat and possessed almost four times as much body fat as the 98 pound individuals (15.5% compared with 4.2%). The predicted values of density and fat were lower than previously reported for age and weight matched groups of young athletes except for the heavier weight groups. The increase in percent fat with wrestling weight category suggests that either heavier high school wrestlers should be expected to have greater fat because of an age effect, or that at the heavier weight levels the concern for weight control is not as important with the athlete who may feel it is advantageous to gain weight.