Wrestling is a highly dynamic sport that alternates from high to submaximal efforts, all in a matter of minutes. According to historians, wrestling is one of the oldest sports. They believe wrestling was featured as an Olympic sport as early as the ninth century BC. Like any competitive sport, some people perform better than others. Read on to identify four factors that contribute to a great wrestler.
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Strength
Successful wrestlers usually display a higher dynamic strength compared to their unsuccessful counterparts. It is the strength that wrestlers require to move around in the ring. Pulling, pushing, lifting, and stabilizing are all strength-intensive activities. Exercises that aim to build maximum strength include weightlifting, swimming and running.
Besides dynamic strength, wrestlers also need isometric strength. This strength is displayed by wrestlers while in a static position. In a wrestling match, isometric strength is visible in various holds and bear-hug situations in wrestling. Good grip and a solid upper body contribute to isometric strength. Strong muscles are crucial and can be achieved through maximal voluntary muscle training. It involves exercises such as grip trainer and a bear hug on a throwing dummy.
Endurance
Every wrestler has a different style. Some wrestlers will be of the endurance type and will be in their opponent’s face from the start of the match to the finish. These usually maintain a high work output throughout the game. The tempo of a wrestling match is so high that the body does not have time to provide the body with oxygen. In this state, the body’s metabolism is anaerobic. The body relies on other sources of energy, such as glucose. During training, wrestlers need to focus on anaerobic endurance exercises such as biking to prepare them for a physical and psychological match. High-intensity interval training is essential too. This endurance is characterized by the body’s buffering capacity and ability to continue working despite high lactate levels. Also, wrestlers must eat a carb-rich meal before training and during a match since they contain high glucose levels.
Power
The constant flow and the give and take of a wrestling match force players to be ready to move. Power is the ability to give maximum force output in the shortest time possible. Force production requires energy. The performance of wrestlers is closer to strength athletes compared to endurance athletes. Research shows that in an average Olympic match, elite junior wrestlers have 13% more power than their non-elite counterparts.
Power is a winning concept in San Diego wrestling since it enables wrestlers to overpower their opponents. This power is seen through explosive techniques such as leaping, diving, and punching. Various exercises that boost power include sprinting and jumping activities. Examples of the latter are long, high, and triple jumps.
Like any other competitive sport, wrestling requires successful athletes to possess some attributes. Power is vital to enable wrestlers to display their strength agilely. Endurance, too, is critical for wrestlers to maintain a high tempo throughout intensive matches. Finally, wrestlers require high energy to carry out activities such as lifting and pushing opponents around.
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