Wrestling

THE SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WRESTLING ARE:

• Dehydration as a result of excessive weight loss.
• Strains, tears or breaks in the joints or soft tissue areas
• The threat of skin problems as a result of dirty mats, skin contact or poor diet.
• Cauliflower ears as a result of broken cartilage in the ear.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR WRESTLING INCLUDE:

• Wrestlers are certified into weight classes based on the NCAA's latest regulations regarding certification. This involves two separate skinfold bodyfat tests which include refractometer testing for hydration. No bodyfat test can be administered to an athlete that doesn't meet the NCAA hydration standards. Ultimately, an athlete can not lose more than 1.5% of his body weight a week during the certification period. At no time may the athlete be below 5% bodyfat.
• After this certification, an athlete may only wrestle in his certified weight class. An athlete may wrestle above this weight class after certification, but this higher weight class becomes his new certification weight.
• NCAA regulations require that a practice room is no warmer that 79°F. Rubber or plastic suits that promote water loss are banned and the use of saunas/hot rooms are prohibited.
• No physical contact until all wrestlers are properly warmed up and working out in a room that is adequately heated.
• The mats must be cleaned at the beginning of the day and after all gym classes. This cuts down the potential for skin infections. This is not only to protect the wrestlers but also the men and women in the physical education classes. All physical education instructors must insist on proper footwear and the necessity of good personal hygiene when using this facility.
• Wrestlers must use proper head gear to reduce the possibility of cauliflower ears.
• Pre-season training of three weeks to get the athletes into reasonable shape. It consists of running, weight training, and conditioning drills.
• No contact will take place without a 15 minute stretching session, a 15 minute heavy exercise session and 15 minute drill session which will prepare the body to take the physical strain of live wrestling.