The effect of 8-weeks wrestling training on unilateral muscle imbalances

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-weeks of wrestling training on unilateral muscle imbalances. Material and Methods. Eight male elite Greco-Roman wrestlers (wrestling group) (age 21.25±2.7 years, height 176.6±6.8 cm, body weight 81.00±9.3 kg) and seven recreationally active male (control group) (age 21.3±3.2 years, height 173.6±4.7 cm, body weight 67.3±5.3 kg) voluntarily participated in the study. Both group participants were students in the Selcuk university in the period of study. Wrestlers were in the off-season before the training period of 10 weeks. Before and after the 8-weeks training period, wrestling and control groups were tested for isokinetic torque measurement. In the training period, the wrestling group carried out only wrestling training without specific strength training. In this period the control group did not involve in any exercise. Results. In the wrestling group, all quadriceps torque parameters significantly increased for both legs but the torque parameters of the hamstring did not change, except the average torque of the left leg. The peak and average torque of the H/Q (Hamstring/quadriceps) significantly decreased after training periods for right leg in the wrestling group. No parameters significantly changed in the control group. Conclusions. Specific hamstring strength exercises can be put in training programs to avoid from a possible knee injury.