Skip to main content

Wrestling

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Epidemiology of Injuries in Sports

Abstract

Wrestling is an ancient traditional sport first mentioned in the history of Sumer civilization approximately 5000 years ago (United World Wrestling History of Wrestling, 2021; Poliakoff, Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, 1996). As one of the oldest Olympic sports in Hellenic history, it was also included in the Ancient Olympic program (Halloran, Orthop Nurs, 27:189–192, 2008). Wrestling was also among the first sports of the Modern Olympic Games, and it still holds its worldwide popularity (Guttmann, The Olympics: a history of the modern games, 2002). However, the sport’s arduous nature results in high injury rates. Due to the many different situations encountered in any individual match, the exact mechanism of injury is not always easily identified (Myers, West J Emerg Med, 11:442–449, 2010). In addition to musculoskeletal problems, other medical conditions and diseases may impact the ability of the wrestler to safely participate (Hewett, Med Sport Sci. 48:152–178, 2005; Maffulli, Br Med Bull. 97:47–80, 2011).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Guttmann A. The olympics: a history of the modern games. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Poliakoff M. Wrestling, freestyle. In: Levinson D, Christensen K, editors. Encyclopedia of world sport: from ancient times to the present, vol. 3. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO; 1996. p. 1191. ISBN 0-87436-819-7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Mirzaei B, Curby DG, Barbas I, Lotfi N. Physical fitness measures of cadet wrestlers. Int J Wrestling Sci. 2011;1(1):63–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Halloran L. Wrestling injuries. Orthop Nurs. 2008;27(3):189–92; quiz 193-4. PMID: 18521035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Maffulli N, Longo UG, Gougoulias N, Caine D, Denaro V. Sport injuries: a review of outcomes. Br Med Bull. 2011;97:47–80. PMID: 20710023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Molnár S, Mensch K, Gáspár K. Wrestling. In: Krutsch W, Mayr H, Musahl V, Della VF, Tscholl P, Jones H, editors. Injury and health risk management in sports. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2020a. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-60752-7_86.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. United World Wrestling, History of Wrestling. [Accessed 2021 July 28]. History of Wrestling & UWW | United World Wrestling

  8. United World Wrestling: Medical Regulations (2021) [Accessed 2021 July 28]. title_ENG (uww.org)

  9. Molnár SZL, Farkas G, Rögler G, Bacsa P, Péteri L, Gáspár K. Practical medical guide for wrestling competitions - local, regional or younger age competitions. Int J Wrestling Sci. 2014a;4:33–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Shadgan B, Molnar S, Sikmic S, Chahi A. Wrestling injuries during the 2016 Rio Olympic games. Br J Sports Med. 2017;51:387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Jlid MC, Maffulli N, Elloumi M, Moalla W, Paillard T. Rapid weight loss alters muscular performance and perceived exertion as well as postural control in elite wrestlers. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2013;53(6):620–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Khodaee M, Olewinski L, Shadgan B, Kiningham RR. Rapid weight loss in sports with weight classes. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2015;14(6):435–41. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000206.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lingor RJ, Olson A. Fluid and diet patterns associated with weight cycling and changes in body composition assessed by continuous monitoring throughout a college wrestling season. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(7):1763–72. PMID: 20555285. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181db22fb.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Shadgan B, Feldman BJ, Jafari S. Wrestling injuries during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(9):1870–6. PMID: 20522826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hewett TE, Pasque C, Heyl R, Wroble R. Wrestling injuries. Med Sport Sci. 2005;48:152–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Thomas RE, Zamanpour K. lnjuries in wrestling: systematic review. Phys Sportsmed. 2018;46(2):168–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2018.1445406. Epub 2018 Mar 9. Review. PubMed PMID: 29484899

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Myers RJ, Linakis SW, Mello MJ, Linakis JG. Competitive wrestling-related injuries in school aged athletes in U.S. Emergency Departments. West J Emerg Med. 2010;11(5):442–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Jarret GJ, Orwin JF, Dick RW. Injuries in collegiate wrestling. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(5):674–80. PubMed PMID: 9784815

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Yard EE, Collins CL, Dick RW, Comstock RD. An epidemiologic comparison of high school and college wrestling injuries. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(1):57–64. Epub 2007 Oct 11. PubMed PMID: 17932400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lorish TR, Rizzo TD Jr, Ilstrup DM, Scott SG. Injuries in adolescent and preadolescent boys at two large wrestling tournaments. Am J Sports Med. 1992;20(2):199–202. PubMed PMID: 1558249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Mueller FO, Cantu RC. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities in high school and college sports, fall 1982-spring 1988. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;22(6):737–41. https://doi.org/10.1249/00005768-199012000-00001. PMID: 2287249

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Boden BP, Lin W, Young M, Mueller FO. Catastrophic injuries in wrestlers. Am J Sports Med. 2002;30(6):791–5. PubMed PMID: 12435642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Laudermilk J. Catastrophic injuries in junior high school and high school wrestling: a five season study. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina; 1988. in Hewett TE, Pasque C, Heyl R, Wroble R. Wrestling injuries. Med Sport Sci. 2005;48:152-78. Review. PubMed PMID: 16247257

    Google Scholar 

  24. Molnár SZ, Lehto M, Nakajima K, Shadgan B. Guidelines for the Prevention & Management of Strangulation in Olympic Wrestling. United World Wrestling, January 2021. 2021. https://unitedworldwrestling.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/201020_strangulation_in_olympic_wrestling_report_final_version_jan2021.pdf

  25. Bruce DA, Schut L, Sutton LN. Brain and cervical spine injuries occurring during organized sports activities in children and adolescents. Prim Care. 1984;11:175–94. in Hewett TE, Pasque C, Heyl R, Wroble R. Wrestling injuries. Med Sport Sci. 2005;48:152-78. Review. PubMed PMID: 16247257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Powell JW. National athletic injury/illness reporting system: eye injuries in college wrestling. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1981;21(4):47–58. PubMed PMID: 7309431

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kvittem B, Hardie NA, Roettger M, Conry J. Incidence of orofacial injuries in high school sports. J Public Health Dent. 1998;58(4):288–93. PubMed PMID:10390711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Goodman AD, Twomey-Kozak J, DeFroda SF, Owens BD. Epidemiology of shoulder and elbow injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association wrestlers, 2009-2010 through 2013-2014. Phys Sportsmed. 2018;46(3):361–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2018.1425596. Epub 2018 Jan 18. Erratum in: Phys Sportsmed. 2018 Sep;46(3):vii. PubMed PMID: 29304721

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Molnár S, Hunya Z, Pavlik A, Bozsik A, Shadgan B, Maffulli N. SLAP lesion and injury of the proximal portion of long head of biceps tendon in elite amateur wrestlers. Indian J Orthop. 2020b;54(3):310–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-020-00041-6. PMID: 32399150; PMCID: PMC7205930

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Bak K, Cameron EA, Henderson IJ. Rupture of the pectoralis major: a meta-analysis of 112 cases. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2000;8:113–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Pavlik A, Csepai D, Berkes I. Surgical treatment of pectoralis major rupture in athletes. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1998;6:129–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Molnár SZL, Hidas P, Kocsis GY, Rögler G, Balogh P, Farkasházi M, Lang P. Operative elbow injuries among Hungarian elite wrestlers. Case review. Int J Athletic Ther Train. 2014b;19(6):12–6. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijatt.2014-0045.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Strauss RH, Lanese RR. Injuries among wrestlers in school and college tournaments. JAMA. 1982;248(16):2016–9. PubMed PMID: 7120629

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Agel J, Ransone J, Dick R, Oppliger R, Marshall SW. Descriptive epidemiology of collegiate men’s wrestling injuries: National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System, 1988-1989 through 2003-2004. J Athl Train. 2007;42(2):303–10. PubMed PMID: 17710180; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1941299

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Estwanik JJ, Bergfeld J, Canty T. Report of injuries sustained during the United States Olympic wrestling trials. Am J Sports Med. 1978;6(6):335–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Lightfoot AJ, McKinley T, Doyle M, Amendola A. ACL tears in collegiate wrestlers: report of six cases in one season. Iowa Orthop J. 2005;25:145–8. PubMed PMID: 16089088; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1888768

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Wroble RR, Mysnyk MC, Foster DT, Albright JP. Patterns of knee injuries in wrestling: a six year study. Am J Sports Med. 1986;14(1):55–66. PubMed PMID: 3752347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Maffulli N. Making weight: a case study of two elite wrestlers. Br J Sports Med. 1992;26(2):107–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Mysnyk MC, Wroble RR, Foster DT, Albright JP. Prepatellar bursitis in wrestlers. Am J Sports Med. 1986;14:46–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Szabolcs Molnár .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Molnár, S., Mensch, K., Bacskai, K., Körösi, É., Sántha, Á., Gáspár, K. (2022). Wrestling. In: Canata, G.L., Jones, H. (eds) Epidemiology of Injuries in Sports . Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64532-1_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64532-1_24

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-64531-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-64532-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics