Affiliation:
1. Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week Wrestling+ warm-up program on static-dynamic balance and proprioception of adolescent freestyle wrestlers. Methods: Twenty-four wrestlers (mean standard deviation for age: 15.8 0.8 years, and body mass index: 23.4 4.3 kg/ m2) participated in this study and were randomly divided into experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group performed three sessions/week of the Wrestling+ warm-up program, while the control group performed routine warm-up exercises during each session. The balance error scoring system (BESS) test for static balance, the Y-test for dynamic balance, and an active angle reconstruction test for knee and ankle joint proprioception were used. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and pairedsamples t-test were used to compare the intergroup and intragroup differences, respectively, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: After the intervention, there were significant improvements in static balance (p < 0.001) on both stable and unstable surfaces, and dynamic balance for the anterior (p = 0.047), posteromedial (p = 0.040), and posterolateral (p = 0.028) segments. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in proprioception errors during knee movements (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The eight-week Wrestling+ warm-up program seems to have a positive effect on static and dynamic balance ability by improving knee joint proprioception in adolescent wrestlers. Hence, it is highly recommended to incorporate this specific warm-up program to enhance the performance of adolescent wrestlers and prevent injuries.