Comparison of Physical Performance Profiles in Freestyle and GrecoRoman Wrestlers

Abstract

Background and Study Aim This study aimed to examine the differences between a range of performance parameters in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers.Material and Methods The study group consisted of 60 young wrestlers, of which 30 were Greco-Roman, and 30 were freestyle. The parameters analysed in the study included aerobic endurance, lower and upper extremity anaerobic power and capacity, postural sway, change of direction, sprint (5m-10m-20m-30m), and visual reaction. After calculating mean and standard deviation values with descriptive statistical methods, the conformity of all variables to normal distribution was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Differences between freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers were determined by t-test for independent samples. A discriminant function analysis was also utilized to discover which set of factors best distinguished freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers. The homogeneity matrices were tested for equality of covariance using Box's M test. Data collinearity was investigated in order to find correlations between independent variables. The statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05.Results Aerobic endurance, lower and upper extremity anaerobic power and capacity, postural sway (Right Foot Anterior-Posterior, Left Foot Total, Left Anterior-Posterior, Left Foot Medial-Lateral), change of direction, 5m and 10m sprint values, and visual reaction values of Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestlers were found similar (p>0.05). In contrast, a significant difference (p<0.05) was seen in 20m and 30m sprints, double foot total, anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, right foot total, and right foot medial-lateral postural sway values.Conclusions Contrary to expectations, it was seen that the leg anaerobic power values of Greco-Roman athletes and the arm anaerobic values of freestyle wrestlers were higher than other style wrestlers, with minor difference. Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers can be said to show similar performance values despite the different wrestling techniques and training methods they use.