Aim. Wrestling is a complex sports branch, which is dominantly anaerobic and necessitates maximal power, strength for explosive attacks during the competition. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the changes of body composition and anaerobic performance values according to weight categories of cadet wrestlers. Methods. One hundred twenty six elite wrestlers (age 15-17 years) participated to the study. The wrestlers were compared according to these weight categories (light, medium and heavier). The body composition was determined by using skinfold. The arms and legs anaerobic performance were determined by Wingate test. Results. There was no significant difference in relative leg peak power between light and heavier wrestlers, and between the medium and heavier wrestlers. There was no statistical significant difference in relative leg average power between the light and heavier wrestlers. There was no statistical significant difference in relative arm peak power between light and heavier wrestlers, and between the medium and heavier wrestlers. There was no significant difference in relative arm average power between the medium and heavier wrestlers. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that no differences anaerobic parameters between light and heavier wrestlers and significantly association between anaerobic parameters and %FFM. The coaches should take into account FFM rather than %FM especially for heavier wrestlers to obtain higher anaerobic performance.
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