Physiological characteristics of high-ability prepubescent wrestlers

The present study compared the physiological responses to exercise, the anaerobic fitness, and the body composition of high-ability prepubescent wrestlers and normally active boys. The wrestlers (N = 15, mean age +/- S.D. = 11.3 +/- 0.30 yr) were recruited to participate in a summer wrestling camp. Their wrestling experience averaged 3.0 +/- 1.63 yr, during which time they won 78 +/- 10.5% of the matches. The comparison boys (N = 13, 10.7 +/- 0.36 yr) were volunteers from a local Boy's Club. Each subject performed a graded treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol) and an anaerobic cycle ergometer test. Additionally, body composition was assessed using densitometry and skinfolds. There were no differences (P greater than 0.05) between the wrestlers and the comparison subjects for age or height. The wrestlers exercised for 1.5 min longer on the treadmill and obtained a higher VO2max (54.0 +/- 1.15 ml X min-1 X kg-1, P less than 0.05) than the comparison subjects (45.6 +/- 2.10 ml X min-1 X kg-1). Also, the wrestlers had higher anaerobic test scores, greater body densities, and lower subcutaneous fat totals at all sites than the normally active boys. These data indicate that the favorable fitness and body composition scores found previously for more mature wrestlers are already present in prepubescent wrestlers.