Analysis of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Wrestlers

Abstract Background. The relative age effect has been used to refer to the age differences between individuals who have been grouped together in a sports competition. In this sense, the relative age effect is considered a determining factor of sporting success. Problem and Aim. Determine the influence of relative age on the achievement of success by athletes in top-level competitions in modern wrestling. Methods and materials. In the research paper, the data of the athletes (n = 682) who took from 1 to 8 places at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 World Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling are considered. The athletes were sub-categorized by the athletes’ dates of birth; medalists; participation and achieved success in the cadets and juniors competitions. Results. There are more athletes who were born in the first half of the year than in the second: 54.7% versus 45.3%, respectively. The distribution of medal winners by date of birth is as follows: it turned out that 53.3% of medalists were born in the first half of the year while 46.7% − in the second half of the year (p>0.05). Conclusion. The data obtained show that the relative age effect does not affect the achievement of success in wrestling and is leveled at the adult stage. However, the analysis has shown that the greatest influence of the relative age effect on athletes was revealed at the cadet level

Special physical training of qualified wrestlers of individual styles of wrestling

Background and Study Aim: Special physical preparedness of wrestlers is one of the main factors for achieving the highest possible results in competitive activity. Physical qualities can differ significantly among wrestlers of the same skill level, but different individual styles. In this regard, this study is aimed at improving the methods of special physical training of qualified wrestlers, taking into account individual styles of wrestling. Material and Methods: The study involved 30 wrestlers of middle weight categories (72 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg). The participants were divided into two groups: control group - 15 athletes, average age (18.96±1.09) years, average weight (76.27±5.58) kg; experimental group - 15 people, average age (19.07±0.95) years, average weight (75.87±5.68) kg. All participants belonged to athletes of a high level of skill. Training tasks were developed to improve the methodology of special physical training of wrestlers, taking into account the styles of wrestling. The proposed program was tested in a pedagogical experiment that lasted one year. Significance of differences between groups was assessed using nonparametric signs (z) and Rosenbaum (Q) tests. Results: during the experiment, the increase in the results of special physical preparedness among the wrestlers of the experimental group is much higher in all tests and it is in the range from 6% to 14%, and in the control group it is lower - from 2% to 3%. Also, these results were confirmed by a non-parametric criterion of signs. So, the wrestlers of the experimental group at the end of the experiment showed an improvement in performance. A significant increase in the results in the «Pull up» test was shown (z=1; p0.05), «Push-up in 20 s» (z=4; р>0.05). Conclusions: The fulfillment of the developed training tasks by the wrestlers of the experimental group made it possible at the end of the experiment to show significantly better results in terms of special physical fitness than the athletes of the control group (p<0.05-0.01). Such results testify to the effectiveness of the proposed methodology and the possibility of its implementation in the training process

Improvement of the Technical and Tactical Preparation of Wrestlers with the Consideration of an Individual Combat Style

The present research reviews a programme for improving athletes’ technical and tactical preparation with a consideration of individual combat style. The program has included training models for each style and has considered the characteristics of the current competitive activities of Greco-Roman wrestlers. Thirty qualified Greco-Roman wrestlers of middle-weight categories have participated in the research. Throughout the experiment (a year-long preparation cycle) the indicators of technical and tactical preparedness of the athletes of the experimental group have improved: the efficiency of defence in stand and ground positions has become higher; the reliability and efficiency of attack and defence actions have increased; the wrestlers have begun to perform a greater number of exercises in stand and ground positions, and to perform successful attacks more often; the interval between the attacks has been shortened. During the experiment, the indicators of technical and tactical preparedness of the athletes of the experimental group have increased from 7.3% to 19.7%, while in the control group from 0.4% to 4.9%. It has been determined that all the considered indicators of the experimental group’s technical and tactical preparedness after the experiment are statistically higher (р<0.05; р<0.01) than the indicators of the control group. This finding indicates the efficiency of the proposed programme of improvement of technical and tactical preparedness for athletes considering individual combat style and a possibility of its implementation into the training process

Functional state of martial arts athletes during implementation process of controlled activity – comparative analysis

Introduction: The study of athletes’ psychophysiological characteristics is one of the major problem at sports science. The aim of the study is to perform comparative analysis of athletes’ power and adaptive capacities during the implementation process of controlled activity, like performing screen -selection activity. Materials and methods: In research participated divided into 3 groups martial arts athletes: taekwondo ITF and karate WTF (n=34); Greco -Roman and freestyle wrestling athletes (n=18); sambo and judo athletes (n=11). As a device, a tablet of Apple company - iPad, fourth- generation, with 9,7 -inch screen was used. For the heart rate (HR) registration it was used BT4.0&ANT+ Heart Rate Mo nitor. Participants performed a sample: the response rate of the selection. The attempt was to react to one given signal from the five proposed. Results: Taekwon -do ITF athletes, karate WTF , hand -to - hand combat showed the best reaction selection time rates . The worst reaction selection time rates were shown by Greco- Roman and freestyle wrestling athletes. Conclusions: The handled comparative analysis reaction time of selection for athletes of different kinds of martial arts has verified its high informative value. Taekwondo ITF, karate WTF , hand -to -hand combat athletes have better results. The results suggest that participants’ state of adaptiveness was normal. The high informative value of used test allows recommend it as screening in the selection of prom ising athletes to the combat martial arts which mostly emphasize striking techniques