ABSTRACT
Wrestling is an activity that, for the match taken as a whole, is conducted at or just below VO2max. As a result of specific adaptations to imposed demands, wrestling is an excellent activity for improving the maximal fitness level (VO2max). Training for wrestling, if not the best, is a best practice for improving maximal fitness level. One of the reasons this is the case is that both the upper body and lower body are used aerobically and anaerobically, similar to cross-country skiing, but more intense (a higher percentage of VO2max). The greater the muscle mass involvement, the greater the oxygen consumption (VO2) and stress on the cardiovascular system, and hence the greater the adaptation. Clearly, this is a positive selling point of amateur wrestling when compared with other youth sports. Another selling point is the transfer of wrestling physiological components to other sports, such as strength and anaerobic capacity, being transferred to football and field events, aerobic fitness being transferred to soccer, track, and cross-country. Additionally, as far as skills, wrestling transfers well to football, with regard to, tackling and blocking.
