The “Fact Sheet” has been prepared to answer
questions which will enhance the understanding of the MHSAA Weight Monitoring
Program. If you have a question which is not included please contact the
MHSAA for an answer. The “Fact Sheet” is intended to grow to address
any points of concern or confusion which develop. Your involvement will
aid the MHSAA in considering every remote aspect of this program well in
advance of its required use. thank you for the feedback.
1. Q.-When will MHSAA member schools sponsoring wrestling be required to
follow the Wrestling Monitoring Program?
A.-Total compliance begins with the 1997-98 wrestling season. The Nutrition
Education Program requires coaches to attend an In-Service once every three
years. New coaches must attend the first year and the school should send
a representative each year.
2. Q.-What is the Nutrition Education Program?
A.-The Nutrition Education Program is an annual program which addresses
weight reduction procedures from a scientific base. Annually, schools will
be required to send a representative to the minimum two hour in-service
to promote healthy eating and nutrition awareness.
3. Q.-How will the Nutrition Education Program impact the
wrestling program?
A.-Coaches will be trained in methods of addressing weight loss from a proven,
documented scientific base. Rather than promoting cutting weight, coaches
will be educated in healthy, systematic weight reduction methods. A major
component of the training will address diet maintenance and development
as well as weight reduction pitfalls.
4. Q.-Will assistant coaches be permitted to participate
in the education program or is it exclusively planned for varsity head coaches?
A.-Any wrestling coach or Nutrition Liaison will be allowed to participate
in the required training because the knowledge will be of benefit to all
within the wrestling family.
5. Q.-Where and when will the nutrition Education be offered?
A.-A schedule of dates will be published and provided to each school district
and head varsity coach. A teleconference may be utilized when possible.
6. Q.-One hour of nutrition education will be provided
for each wrestler. When, how and who will conduct this program?
A.-Locally the member school will identify a dietitian, health educator,
nutritionist, home economics teacher, physician or nurse to the be Nutrition
Liaison and to conduct the Basic MHSAA Nutrition Program. The MHSAA will
supply the teaching unit for the nutrition Liaison. The school will arrange
the date and location for the programs and assure that wrestlers participate.
7. Q.-Could a parent participate in the local Nutrition
Education program?
A.-Parents are encouraged to participate in the local program because parents
will undoubtedly be the facilitators to assure that their wrestler is practicing
healthy diet measurers and safe weight reduction. They have a vested interest
which will likely cause their concern to intensify.
8. Q.-If a school wished to continue nutrition education
throughout the season, will materials be available to assist the Nutrition
Liaison?
A.-The Basic MHSAA Nutrition Program includes a bibliography of free and
inexpensive materials.
9. Q.-Body fat of 7% for males and 12% for females was
chosen as the minimum body fat allowed wrestlers. What is the influence
that caused these figures to be selected?
A.-Research and practice has led medical personnel to accept the percentages
chosen as meeting th health needs of students within the age group.
10. Q.-There are several ways to determine body fat content
including electronic impedance measurement, hydrostatic weighting and skinfold
measurement. Why was the skinfold measurement selected as the standard?
A.-Cost was the primary influence which promoted the use of the skinfold
measure as the standard. In addition, the data is somewhat inconclusive
as it relates to the use of the electronic impedance procedure.
11. Q.-Who will measure wrestlers?
A.-Health care professionals with experience in body fat measurement who
complete the required MHSAA annual training program to become registered
Skinfold Assessors will be permitted to offer their services to schools.
12. Q.-When is the first day on which skin measurement
can be held?
A.-The first Monday following the ninth football game has been selected
as first measurement day in order to avoid conflict with fall sports. Wrestlers
may establish weight on the “Alpha” date or any date thereafter.
13. Q.-How does the school arrange for the measurement
date and secure an approved Skinfold Assessor?
A.-The school will handle this event just as an official is contracted.
From a directory of approved assessors (located on the Web — www.mhsaa.com),
the school will establish a date and time for the “Alpha” weigh-in
and contract the measurer to be present. Of course, the coach and all perspective
wrestlers will be notified of the time and date.
14. Q.-Is there a cost for the measurement?
A.-A cost may be charged the school, but may not exceed $5.00 per wrestler
measured. Schools may find their trainer or someone local is approved and
will not require a fee or will measure an entire team for a set fee.
15. Q.-What besides the body fat measurement will be required
ar the Alpha weigh-in?
A. -Prior to weighing and measuring, each potential wrestler will undergo
a specific gravity urine test to determine whether a candidate may participate
in the body fat measurement that day. Students who are dehydrated will be
required to be measured on another day following the same procedure. Measuring
the urine specific gravity is a safeguard to deter students from fasting
before Alpha weigh-in.
16. Q.-What obligations does the school have in preparing
for the measuring event?
A.-The school will provide personnel to assist with date recording and weight
measurement. In addition, the school will provide two persons to conduct
the urine specific gravity test and the supplies necessary to conduct the
test. (reagent strip and cups)
17. Q.-How will teams and coaches know exactly what minimums
will be permitted specific wrestlers?
A.-The data collected by the measurer will be submitted to the MHSAA for
processing. Each school will receive the Alpha Master, a computer print
out that identifies the wrestler and determines his lowest minimum weight.
18. Q.-What is the procedure if a student is normally below
7% (male) or 12% (female) body fat?
A.-A Physician’s (MD or DO) Clearance Form will be required in order
for the student to wrestle at a weight below 7% or 12% body fat.
19. Q.-Is growth allowance included in this program?
A.-Yes. Two pounds maybe added on or after January 15 as outlined in National
Federation Rule 1-3-2.
20. Q.-How much weight will a wrestler be allowed to lose
each week?
A.-A wrestler’s weight will be established at the Alpha weigh-in. The
loss per week is 3% of the weight recorded at the Alpha week or the reduced
weight each week following i.e. for an Alpha weight of 159 pounds, the “plateau”
weight allowed in week two would be 158 pounds minus 3% (4.50 pounds) or
a “plateau” weight of 153.5 pounds. In week three, the “plateau:”
weight is 153.5 pounds minus 3% (4.50 pounds) or 149 pounds.
21. Q.-If there is a concern that the minimum weight determined
for a wrestler is different from one expected is there an appeal procedure?
A.-There is a procedure for appeal which involves recalculation of data,
a remeasure and finally the hydrostatic weighing of the wrestler at the
expense of the school or family. Following the results of a hydrostatic
weighing there is no further appeal permitted.
22. Q.-How are Skinfold Assessors selected?
A.-Any person with a specific health care background and experience with
skinfold measurement can participate in the training program. Assessors
are subject to testing and annual recertification. A directory of currently
approved Skinfold Assessors will annually be provided to each member school
sponsoring wrestling.
IMPORTANT NOTE
THE PRINCIPAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOME WEIGH-IN AND THE
WEIGHT CERTIFICATION FORM. Although a designee
may actually conduct the weigh-in the Principal must sign the document.
Under no circumstances may the coach be responsible for the official weigh-in.
The following guidelines are not meant to be all inclusive
of what may need to be done to prevent skin diseases from occurring in wrestling.
They provide practical suggestions that, when implemented, should help reduce
the incidence of skin diseases occurring among high school wrestlers. Some
of the guidelines go above and beyond what would normally need to be done
to prevent skin infections from occurring. However, in instances where some
wrestlers, or an entire team, seem to be extremely susceptible to skin diseases
the more extreme guidelines may prove to be very worthwhile. Some coaches
are currently implementing most of these, or similar, guidelines. Others
may be utilizing only selected ones.
Whatever the case, restricting wrestlers with skin lesions from participation
and keeping a clean wrestling environment are the keys to reducing the incidence
of skin infections.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
Clean wrestling mats daily, preferably within one hour of practice or competition,
using a disinfectant cleaner. Allow mats to air dry before using.
Wash all mats with disinfectant on a regular (1-2 times weekly) basis.
Wipe weight room benches with disinfectant after use and/or prior to the
next day’s use.
Launder towels, practice gear, and uniforms after each use. Don’t allow
any wrestler into the practice room without clean practice gear.
Wipe head gear and shoes with disinfectant after each practice.
Do not allow wrestlers to share any item of practice gear.
Require each wrestler to shower after each practice and contest using disinfectant
soap.
Have each wrestler supply his own bar of deodorant soap and shampoo. Dispensers
for liquid soap are another option to reduce the need for common bars of
soap.
As an additional precaution, athletes with acne problems may wish to use
astringent pads (i.e. Stridex) to clean their faces/neck after showering.
Open the doors to the wrestling room and use fans to lower the heat and
humidity each night. Proper ventilation is very important to destroy disease
causing bacteria.
Do not allow athletes to use common towels, for any reason during practice
or competition.
Neoprene sleeves and supports should be wiped with disinfectant after every
use and allowed to air dry.
Wrestler should keep their finger nails trimmed short to avoid scratching
themselves or someone else, as any opening in the skin increases the risk
of infection.
Wrestlers who have been susceptible to skin diseases in the past may want
to visit with their family physician regarding preventative oral medication
which may be available.
GUIDELINES FOR WRESTLERS WHO HAVE A SKIN DISEASE:
Wrestlers with any signs of a skin disease should be withheld from practice
until a medical diagnosis and clearance is obtained.
Wrestlers having any signs or symptoms of a skin disorder should be sent
to a doctor immediately.
If a wrestler with a skin disease has current written permission from a
physician to participate, the affected area should be covered with an occlusive
(water resistant) dressing or a gauze pad with a water resistant covering
on at least one side. This reduces the risk of infecting others.
Wrestlers having lesions from a skin disease on their face or neck should
launder their pillow case on a daily basis.
Wrestlers with any signs of a skin disease should wash their hands frequently
to avoid contaminating themselves or others.
Wrestlers with skin diseases should be made aware that contact they have
with others during the school day, outside the wrestling room, may spread
the disease to others.
Reprinted from Iowa High School Athletic Associaiton,
Boone, Iowa.