Trends in Weight Management Among State-Qualifying High School Wrestlers: Implications for Athletes, Clinicians, and Policy Development

Nearly half the successful wrestlers competed in weight classes above their minimum weight, while 5% lost 9% to 18% of their body mass over the wrestling season. This suggests factors other than maximizing individual athletic potential, such as team needs to fill a weight class, influence weight management decisions. Over the 20-year span of the study, trends toward lower measured body fat percentage and lower weight fluctuations suggest influences from sports specialization and year-round training and less emphasis on extreme leanness for competitive advantage. Athletes, in consultation with their coaches and clinicians, should select a competition weight class where they can adequately fuel, train, and recover. This may not be their minimum certified weight class.