Weight Certification
Illinois high school wrestlers will participate in the IHSA Wrestling Weight Control Program. This program started in the 2003-04 school year, is designed to determine the minimum weight class a wrestler may participate in throughout the season. The establishment of a minimum weight class is based on a body fat measurement of 7% for male wrestlers and 12% for female wrestlers.
The IHSA is concerned for the safety of the young people who participate in our wrestling program. The establishment of a minimum weight class along with a maximum weight loss, on the descent, of 1½% per week, allows high school wrestlers to participate in a most healthy manner.
This program shifts any focus of negative weight control, to a stance that wrestling is promoting the positive well being of all wrestlers. Coaches view this program as a tool to help them provide the best available information and research to the wrestlers and parents on what the optimum weight class would be for each wrestler.
Time Periods for Measurements
Skin fold measuring may begin on Monday of the first practice. All wrestlers, including those coming out late, must have their minimum weight established prior to any competition.
Skin fold measuring must be completed by Friday, of Week 30, one week prior to the regional tournaments.
Weight Loss Per Week
A weight loss of 1.5% of a wrestler’s total body weight per week has been established. A wrestler will not be allowed to wrestle at the minimum weight until the date specified on the body fat results sheet provided by the IHSA.
A wrestler may not weigh in more than one weight class above the lowest weight class that he/she has ever weighed in at. If they do weigh in more than one weight class above the lowest weight that they have ever weighed in at, that wrestler is will be re-certified at the higher weight class for the remainder of the season and will not be able to weigh in or wrestle at a lower weight.
Example:
A wrestler weighs in at 140 on December 8, this wrestler may weigh in at 140 or 145 without re-certifying higher.
On December 15 the same wrestler weighs in at 135. The wrestler may now weigh in at 135 or 140 without re-certifying.
On December 17 the same wrestler weighs in at 143, which would be a 145 lb weigh in. This wrestler is now re-certified as a 145 wrestler and may not weigh in below 145 the remainder of the season.
Specific Gravity Assessment:
Dehydration compromises the accuracy of body composition assessments; therefore, all athletes are required to pass a urine specific gravity test in order to be eligible for the body composition assessment. Dehydration increases the concentration of particles in the urine thereby, increasing the urine’s specific gravity. The specific gravity of water is 1.000g/ml and the specific gravity of a hydrated individual is established at 1.025g/ml or lower. This test is simply a pass/fail assessment based on the specific gravity level equal to or greater than 1.025g/ml. If an athlete fails the specific gravity test the assessment process is ended and the athlete will not be eligible for reassessment for 24 hours.
How to prepare for Specific Gravity Test
1. Eat a normal balanced diet emphasizing foods with high water content such as fruits and vegetables.
2. Avoid foods and/or supplements that may contribute to water loss such as: chocolate, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol and supplements for at least 24-48 hours.
3. Avoid vigorous physical activities that cause excessive sweating for at least 24 hours.
4. Consume plenty of fluids; at least eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses per day for several days prior to testing.
5. Avoid early morning assessment, if possible, due to the effect of not consuming fluids during sleep.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY FAT TESTING
1. All wrestlers being tested must take the test for Urine Specific Gravity. NOTE: Body Fat Tester will give specific instructions for this test.
2. Wrestlers that do not pass the Urine Specific Gravity Test will not be body fat tested on this date. They only get one opportunity on any given date to pass the Urine Specific Gravity Test. Wrestlers that do not pass the Specific Gravity Test must wait 24 hours to be re-tested.
3. Once a wrestler has passed the Urine Specific Gravity test, they must be body fat tested immediately, on that date, without any exercise or delays.
APPEAL PROCESS
1. A school may appeal the results of the body fat testing one time per wrestler.
2. The appeal must be file and complete (by fax) to the IHSA Office within seven (7) calendar days of the initial Body Fat Testing date. Schools may not wrestle the wrestler that is appealing until the results of the appeal appear in the school center.
3. No wrestler may wrestle interscholastically without being body fat tested. If a wrestler’s body fat test results are being appealed, the wrestler may not wrestle in interscholastic competition until the appeal results are posted on the School Center.
4. The cost of the appeal is to be paid by the school or the wrestler depending on what that school’s policy is.
5. The wrestler has the following options for the appeal:
· Have another skin fold test by any of the approved Certified Body Fat Testers, or
· Be re-tested at an approved Test Centers in the State of Illinois. The school must call to set up the appeal at an approved site.
6. The wrestler must take the results of the second test.
7. The results of the appeal will be faxed to the IHSA Office by the person that is conducting the appeal.
No other appeals will be granted.