AIM: This study investigated changes in exercise intensity during a freestyle wrestling match. METHODS: Wrestling matches that consisted of three periods of 2 min were performed by nine elite collegiate male wrestlers. Exercise intensity was measured using heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration ([BLa-]), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). HR was continuously recorded during the match, and mean HR during each period was obtained. [BLa-] and RPE according to the 6-20-point Borg Perceived Exertion Scale were measured immediately after each period. RESULTS: HR during the wrestling match increased as a whole, but a continuous decrease in HR was observed during the first half of the second and third periods. This was likely caused by a cautious strategy involving reduced aggressive actions. HR significantly increased (P<0.05) from the first period (81±6% of maximal HR [HRmax]) to the second period (88±5% of HRmax), and from the second to the third periods (92±5% of HRmax). [BLa-] significantly increased (P<0.05) from the first period (7.6±2.0 mmol/L) to the second period (10.4±4.2 mmol/L), but not from the second to the third periods (11.5±3.1 mmol/L). RPE significantly increased across the three periods (first, 13±1; second, 15±2; and third periods, 17±2, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results on changes in exercise intensity during each period and between periods would be helpful for making strategic decisions during wrestling matches and for planning daily training.
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