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, please contact your schools athletic trainer Stacy Gallo. 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 Nov 9th 2011.
Testing will take place at Tuscarora on the following dates: Nov 2-16th at 4:15 pm in the athletic
training room. Please make sure you have this form signed, you cannot do the testing without this
form signed.
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,
Stacy Gallo
Tuscarora High School
PLEASE DETACH AT THE PERFORATION, RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION TO YOUR
CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER BY NOV 9th 2011_______________________________.
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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