October 14, 2011 Dear Prospective Wrestling Parents, In an effort to provide for the safety of all wrestlers, all LCPS high schools will comply with the VHSL Wrestling Weight Control Program again this wrestling season. This program calculates and determines each wrestler’s percentage of body fat, and uses this calculation to establish a healthy schedule of weight loss for each individual athlete to prevent drastic, and possibly catastrophic, weigh loss in wrestlers. The implementation of this program will help to make certain that each wrestler is wrestling at his/her safest, minimum wrestling weight without dangerous “yo-yoing” of weight throughout the season. The VHSL Wrestling Weight Control Program will transition to the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Optimal Calculator for the 2011-2012 season. Extensive research has been conducted regarding the dangerous practice of rapid weight loss frequently associated with the sport of wrestling. Research has found that some wrestlers drop up to ten pounds in a week, only to regain it within days. This rapid, drastic weight loss is the result of dangerous dehydration. Dehydration can result in increased risk of injuries including strained/torn muscles, heat illnesses, and sudden death in athletes. To determine an athlete’s safe minimum weight and schedule of weight loss, an accurate calculation of the athlete’s body fat percentage must be taken. An accurate body fat percentage cannot be determined without confirming that the athlete was sufficiently hydrated at the time of measurement. Skin fold measurements taken without a hydration component can be somewhat inaccurate, resulting in incorrect calculations of minimum wrestling weight. With the athletes’ utmost safety in mind, the VHSL has developed this program to properly assess athletes’ body fat percentage and to calculate a reasonable, safe, and individual schedule of weight loss for wrestlers. A wrestler will be allowed to lose no more than 1.5% of his/her body weight per week, without dropping below 7% body fat (12% for females). Although hydrostatic (underwater) weighing is the most accurate measurement of body fat percentage, skin fold measurements performed on properly hydrated athletes is the most accurate practical form of assessment. Sufficient hydration will be determined by a Urine Specific Gravity (USG) test. The certified athletic trainer (AT) at each high school will take all measurements and calculate the percentage of body fat and schedule of weight loss, as directed by the VHSL Wrestling Weight Control Program. All ATs have been trained as Certified Measurers through the VHSL. The Measurement Process In order to determine an athlete’s percentage of body fat (necessary to calculate a safe amount of weight loss), three different types of measurements must be taken before activity on dry skin. 1. 2. 3. Weight: Each athlete will be weighed on the same certified scale used for weigh-ins on meet days. This will establish the athlete’s baseline weight. Hydration Test: The athlete’s hydration will be assessed through the USG test which evaluates the amount of water available in a small urine sample provided by the athlete. All athletes will be given a tip-sheet on how to prepare for the hydration test. Accurate body fat percentages cannot be calculated without the determination of proper hydration. USG must be between 1.001 and 1.025 for the test to continue. A USG of 1.026 and greater will require the athlete to return no sooner than one day later for the assessment to take place. Skin Fold Measurements: Skin Fold Calipers will be used to measure body fat at the tricep, sub scapular (shoulder blade), and the abdominal areas (tricep and sub scapular only in females). Measurements will be taken three times at each of the three sites (two sites measured three times in females). These measurements will be used to calculate the body fat percentage using the Lohman-Brozak equation for males; Slaughter, Lohman, Boileau equation for females. Once the body fat percentage is determined, a schedule of safe, allowable weight loss will be established to allow for the athlete to lose 1.5% of his/her hydrated body weight per week (Sunday to Saturday). If an athlete should drop below his/her minimum weight for a specific week, he/she will not be allowed to wrestle, as he/she has reached this weight through dehydration and would be at risk of injury. If an athlete did not reach his/her goal weight for that week, he/she will be allowed to wrestle at his/her current weight, but may only lose 1.5% of his/her current weight during the upcoming week (he/she will be a week behind in weight loss). The Appeal Procedure: If an athlete or parent wishes to appeal the calculation, the coach, AT, and Athletic Director must all be advised of the decision to appeal in writing within two (2) days of the contested measurements. If a parent and/or athlete would like to appeal and obtain new skinfold and hydration measurements, the coach, AT, and Athletic Director would ask the VHSL Certified Measurer to complete the First Appeal. If still displeased with the results of the First Appeal, the parents and athlete may notify the coach, AT, and Athletic Director of the desire for a Second Appeal (within two (2) days of the First Appeal). A VHSL Regional Master Tester from another school or district will be called to the school to perform the measurements and calculations again. Due to the travel incurred, the Regional Master Tester may charge a maximum of $10.00 per athlete plus mileage. The cost of the Second Appeal would be the full responsibility of the athlete’s family. The athlete or parent may choose a Third Appeal by requesting to be hydro-statically weighed at a VHSL approved facility by an exercise physiologist. The cost of hydrostatic weighing will be the full responsibility of the athlete’s family. In the case of all appeals, the most recent measurements will stand. Similar to physicals and due to the necessity of this measurement to encourage the safe participation of each wrestler, refusal to comply with this program will result in the athlete’s inability to participate with any LCPS wrestling team. Informational Meeting: Each school will host an informational meeting regarding this program, should you have any questions or concerns. Your school’s informational meeting will be held on _____________Monday October 31, 2011_________________at ____4____p.m. The AT will provide further details regarding this critical safety element at this time. Please complete the following permission form and return it to the certified athletic trainer no later than Saturday November 5, 2011. Testing will take place at Stone Bridge High School on Saturday November 5, 2011 from 9 AM to 12 noon . Your cooperation in our efforts to ensure and monitor the safety of your children is greatly appreciated. We look forward to sharing a safe, rewarding and successful season with you and your wrestler. Sincerely, Mark Wagner, MS, ATC 301-573-5050 Certified Athletic Trainer Stone Bridge High School PLEASE DETACH AT THE PERFORATION, RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION TO YOUR CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER BY Saturday November 5, 2011. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- My child, _____________________________________, has permission to participate in the VHSL Wrestling Weight Control Program. I certify that I have read the attached informational sheet detailing the need and processes of this program to encourage the safety of my child’s participation in wrestling for Loudoun County Public Schools. I am aware that my son’s/daughter’s level of hydration will be assessed through a Urine Specific Gravity test requiring a urine sample. I understand that we have the opportunity to participate in the Informational Meeting regarding this program in order to provide answers to our questions. I have read and understand the measurement and appeal procedures. I further understand that refusal to comply with this program will rusult in my child’s inability to participate in wrestling for Loudoun County Public Schools. ___________________________________________ ________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date