Health

Health

The three major health concerns for wrestlers are skin conditions, weight management, and concussions. While Coaches and volunteers are versed in recognizing some of these issues, families should be informed in recognizing symptoms and indications of problems.

SKIN CONDITIONS

Coaching staff encourages wrestlers and their families to visit the National Wrestling Coaches Association website and view a webinar on skin safety. Due to the amount of contact wrestlers have with each other and mats, infections can spread quickly if sufficient preventive measures are not taken.

The Coaching staff cleans the mats every day before practice with Mueller Cleaner & Disinfectant which eliminates HIV-1, MRSA, Hepatitis B and C, and other viruses as well as staph, strep and fungus germs on contact.

Wrestlers need to take measures to come to practice with clean clothes and having bathed. We recommend a liquid antimicrobial soap or an anti-fungal soap that is used immediately after the wrestler goes home after practice. This is both important for the wrestler and the other wrestlers on the team. One person’s skin infection can prevent the entire team from competing in a short amount of time.

Wrestlers should also NOT share razors, towels or other personal hygiene items. Clothes should be washed in hot water before being reworn. Any wounds should be completely covered and taped all the way around. Wrestlers should also be cautious of coming into contact with another wrestler with a skin infection. Sharing water bottles is also discouraged during practice and competition.

Any wrestler who has a skin infection will not be able to participate in wrestling unless a medical professional signs a form noting that the infection is not contagious.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

The Optimal Performance Calculator can be used by wrestlers to track their healthy weight (and potential weight loss) by week based on the assessment made by the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section during Hydration. Rapid weight loss during the wrestling season can be very dangerous to wrestlers and the weight loss assessments are meant to discourage unhealthy weight loss practices. The CIF also has recommendations for a wrestler's diet to keep your wrestler healthy throughout the season.

CONCUSSIONS

Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness and there are between 1.6 and 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the United States every year. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. California law mandates that all athletes and their parent/guardian must sign and return a head injury information sheet before the athlete's begins practicing or competition.

Possible Symptoms

Headaches
“Pressure in head”
Nausea or vomiting
Neck pain
Balance problems or dizziness
Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling sluggish or slowed down
Feeling foggy or groggy
Drowsiness
Change in sleep patterns
Amnesia
“Don’t feel right”
Fatigue or low energy
Sadness
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability
More emotional
Confusion
Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays)
Repeating the same question/comment

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours.

You should also inform one of the coaches if you think that your child may have a concussion. Even though the Coaches do train student athletes technical skills that should help minimize injury, wrestling is a contact sport and accidents do happen. Remember it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

A great resource for learning more about Concussions is through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which includes fact sheets for athletes and parents.