The accuracy of coaches’ estimates of minimal wrestling weight

The purpose of this study was to compare estimations of minimal wrestling weight (MWW) from experienced high school wrestling coaches and anthropometric equations with those from underwater weighing. Eighty-two wrestlers (X age ± SD = 16.54 ± 1.05 yr) volunteered to be assessed via anthropometry and underwater weighing, with percent body fat calculated from body density (BD) using both the conversion constants of Lohman [percent body fat = ((5.03/BD) − 4.59) × 100] and Brozek [percent body fat = ((4.57/BD) − 4.142) × 100]. In addition, five head coaches, who had between 5 and 24 yr of experience, were asked to estimate within 1 lb the MWW for each of their athletes. The validity of four selected anthropometric equations and the coaches’ estimates were compared with the actual MWW from underwater weighing by examining the constant error (CE), r, SEE, and total error (TE) values. The results indicated that the skinfold equation (EQ1) of Lohman provided the most accurate estimates of MWW (TE = 1.90-2.09 kg) and is therefore recommended over the subjective estimates of high school coaches.