Chances are, if you talk to anyone about wrestling...the subject of weight loss will come up. NCAA rules on wrestling weight loss were changed considerably shortly after three collegiate wrestlers died late in 1997 while trying to meet a lower weight class. So how can coaches and trainers best help their wrestlers?

Matt Doyle, an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Iowa, says, "When talking with our wrestlers, I focus on weight control rather than weight loss. We discuss muscle recovery and performance enhancement. It's important to emphasize that you can only get a competitive edge with good nutrition and the proper vitamin and mineral supplements."

Matt continues, "Wrestlers must have the mind set that performing their best should be the underlying factor for everything including academics, training, and competition. It's not healthy for athletes to only focus on the day of competition and losing weight for that one event. They need to be thinking about peak performance all the time.

"Athletes are provided with ample information about healthy weight control," Matt says, "but sometimes they will lose weight incorrectly based on faulty information from other wrestlers or coaches who feel it's almost like a badge of honor to endure extreme weight loss methods. But once the athletes have experienced doing it correctly, they understand the difference."

Dave Ellis is a registered dietician with a specialty in sports, and is also a certified strength conditioning coach. Three years ago he left his position as a sports dietician with University of Nebraska Athletics and went into private practice. Dave notes that each year, the NCAA reviews and tweaks the rules regarding weight loss for wrestlers. "It's important for coaches to operate within the rules and to not make their wrestlers vulnerable to illness and injury by improper weight loss.

"These athletes must eat correctly, especially if they are cutting back on calories," he says. "Whole grains, lean, high-quality protein, and fresh produce are all important. I really stress fresh fruits and vegetables as a natural anti-inflammatory and as a source of antioxidants to boost the immune system."

Dave talks to wrestlers and encourages them to envision being at the top of their game during competition. "I help them think about what it would feel like to be hydrated, with their glycogen stores full, and to wrestle at their peak potential...versus being all wrung out from dehydration and drastic weight loss. As more coaches buy in to the concept of keeping wrestlers healthy, I find that the athletes are very glad."

"One of the best things coaches and trainers can do," Dave emphasizes, "is to decide what weight you'd like your wrestlers to be and help them stay at that weight in the off-season, too. It takes a lot of pre-planning with a strength coach to ensure the athletes don't train for size in the off-season and outgrow that class. Teach your wrestlers to focus on strength, power and an appropriate diet-on season, and off."