Mehmet Kutlu

Assessment of hydration status by urinary analysis of elite junior taekwon-do athletes in preparing for competition

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess over time the hydration status of taekwon-do athletes during a preparatory camp. Measures of urine osmolality, conductivity, specific gravity and colour were made on the first urine sample passed by the participants (n = 32) in the morning before breakfast. The urinary measurements were made on samples collected at the beginning of the camp, 5 days later and one day before competition. Body mass was also measured at the same instants. Body mass (mean ± s) was essentially the same on each of the measurement days (62.6 ± 12.2, 62.7 ± 12.3 and 62.2 ± 12.6 kg, respectively). Mean urine osmolality at the beginning of the camp was relatively high (998 ± 171 mOsmol · kg−1), suggesting that a significant number of the athletes were already hypohydrated. However, no significant differences were detected in urine osmolality at the three time points during the study. There were no significant differences in any of the four methods of urine analysis during the study (P > 0.05). The average values for all samples were 989 ± 205 mOsmol · kg−1 for osmolality, 25.5 ± 6.7 mS · cm−1 for conductivity, 1.017 ± 0.010 g · cm−3 for specific gravity and 4 ± 1 arbitrary units for colour. Correlation analysis between the different methods suggested moderately good agreement (correlation coefficient = 0.5–0.7) between all four measurement techniques (P < 0.01). The coefficients of variation for these techniques were relatively low (CV = 11.8 – 35.0%). The results of this study suggest that some of the taekwon-do athletes were slightly hypohydrated in the morning on each of the test days, but there was no evidence to suggest that most of the athletes further restricted their fluid intake to make weight. In addition, it appears that each of the four methods used gave essentially the same estimate of hydration status of these athletes.

Physical Fitness Differences between Freestyle and Greco-Roman Junior Wrestlers

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine physical fitness differences between Freestyle and Greco-Roman junior wrestlers. One hundred twenty-six junior wrestlers, comprising 70 Freestyle and 56 Greco-Roman wrestlers, participated in this study. The somatic and physical fitness profile included body mass, body height, body mass index, body composition, flexibility, maximal anaerobic power of the legs and arms, aerobic endurance, hand grip strength, leg and back strength, and speed. No significant differences were found in the anthropometric and physical features between Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers. The Greco-Roman wrestlers had a significantly higher level of relative leg power, peak arm power, relative peak arm power, and relative average arm power than Freestyle wrestlers (p < 0.05). Greco-Roman wrestlers were significantly faster, had better agility, and had a greater level of leg strength than Freestyle wrestlers, but Freestyle wrestlers were more flexible than Greco-Roman wrestlers (p < 0.05). Discriminant function analysis indicated that peak arm power, agility, speed, and flexibility were selective factors for the differences between Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the differences between these wrestling styles promote physical fitness differences in elite wrestlers. The results reflect specific features of each wrestling style.

Comparison of Physical and Physiological Profiles in Elite and Amateur Young Wrestlers

Abstract Demirkan, E, Koz, M, Kutlu, M, and Favre, M. Comparison of physical and physiological profiles in elite and amateur young wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 29(7): 1876–1883, 2015—The aim of this study is to examine the physical and physiological determinants of wrestling success between elite and amateur male wrestlers. The wrestlers (N = 126) were first assigned to 3 groups based on their competitive level (top elite, elite, and amateur) and then to 6 groups according to their body mass (light, middle, and heavy weight) and their competitive level (elite and amateur). Top elite and elite wrestlers had significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) more training experiences and maximal oxygen uptake compared with the amateur group. In separating weight classes, light- and middle-weight elite (MWE) wrestlers had significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) more training experience (7–20%) compared with the light- and middle-weight amateur (MWA) wrestlers. No significant differences were detected between elite and amateur groups (light-, middle-, and heavy-weight wrestlers) for age, body mass, height, body mass index, and body fat (p > 0.05), with the exception of height for heavy wrestlers. Leg average and peak power values (in watts and watts per kilogram) in MWE were higher than MWA (6.5 and 13%, p ⩽ 0.05). Relative leg average power value in heavy-weight elite (HWE) (in watts per kilogram) was higher than heavy-weight amateur (HWA) (9.6%, p ⩽ 0.05). It was seen that elite wrestlers in MWE and HWE statistically possessed a higher V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (12.5 and 11.4%, respectively) than amateur middle- and heavy-weight wrestlers (p ⩽ 0.05). The results of this study suggest that training experience, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic power and capacity will give a clear advantage for the wrestlers to take part in the elite group.

Reliability and Validity of a New Test of Agility and Skill for Female Amateur Soccer Players

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the Agility and Skill Test, which had been recently developed to assess agility and skill in female athletes. Following a 10 min warm-up, two trials to test the reliability and validity of the test were conducted one week apart. Measurements were collected to compare soccer players’ physical performance in a 20 m sprint, a T-Drill test, the Illinois Agility Run Test, change-of-direction and acceleration, as well as agility and skill. All tests were completed following the same order. Thirty-four amateur female soccer players were recruited (age = 20.8 ± 1.9 years; body height = 166 ± 6.9 cm; body mass = 55.5 ± 5.8 kg). To determine the reliability and usefulness of these tests, paired sample t-tests, intra-class correlation coefficients, typical error, coefficient of variation, and differences between the typical error and smallest worthwhile change statistics were computed. Test results showed no significant differences between the two sessions (p > 0.01). There were higher intra-class correlations between the test and retest values (r = 0.94–0.99) for all tests. Typical error values were below the smallest worthwhile change, indicating ‘good’ usefulness for these tests. A near perfect Pearson correlation between the Agility and Skill Test (r = 0.98) was found, and there were moderate-to-large levels of correlation between the Agility and Skill Test and other measures (r = 0.37 to r = 0.56). The results of this study suggest that the Agility and Skill Test is a reliable and valid test for female soccer players and has significant value for assessing the integrative agility and skill capability of soccer players.