Physical Work Capacity of Young Greco-Roman Wrestlers on the Background of their Somatic Development

Abstract

On the basis of studies of 210 Greco-Roman wrestlers aged 11—18 the impact of training loads and sports selection
in the above sports event upon physical development and general work capacity of young athletes have been
determined.
Besides, age dynamics of changes of the major somatic indices (body length and mass) as well as physical work
capacity at the stage of initial and basic sports preparation has been determined.
The studies have resulted in the determination of specific for Greco-Roman wrestlers changes in the examined indices
and development of evaluation scale of general physical work capacity.
On the basis of findings we may conclude that Greco-Roman wrestling has a positive influence on developing body.
In most cases mean values of examined somatic indices exceed those of children not engaged in sports as well as
children practising other sports events. This sports event may be considered as a good means stimulating physical
development of children and youth.
The age of 11—15 has turned to be the period of the greatest structural and functional changes in their ontogenesis.
During this period the greatest rate of development is peculiar for body mass and height (11—12 years — mass 16%,
length 6%; 14—15 years — mass 25%, length 6%), whereas development of work capacity occurs evenly. Along with
relative stabilization of the rate of body mass and height development beginning from the age of 16 high rate of work
capacity development is observed.

Keywords: Greco-Roman wrestling, somatic development, performance abilities.