Greetings,

Please excuse the length of this post.

My name is Greg Mann and I am the supt. of schools in Norton, KS and also a member of the KSHSAA committee working on the development of the new weight control plan.

First of all, let me say that ANY system which is devised (current one included) will (does) have gaps and problems which those who are prone to bending rules will exploit. This is sad, but there are those who look for competitive advantages in the darkest corners of human endeavors.

Without a lot of time spent on the whys and wherefores of the plan, let me just sum it up with one word--LIABILITY. Basically, why would Kansas not do as much to safegaurd the health of its athletes as do other states? Why would Kansas not follow the most recent and current medical advice that is available? The issue of not being a voting member of the National Federation due to not being in compliance with all Federation rules is really, in my mind, besides the point and not germaine to this issue. As you know Kansas is currently not in compliance due to our weigh-in procedures and currently not voting members of the Fed. (I personally believe the way we do it is the best for kids and am willing to "remain on the outside looking in." )

The Kansas pilot plan has two of the National Federation components; the third component, a escent plan, appears to me to be a nightmare to monitor and enforce. As I understand it from the medical members of our committee, the 1.5% optimum weight loss per week is based on studies done with people who are "civilians" and not athletes who are working their butts off 5-6 days per week in both aerobic and anerobic exercise. Whether or not to include the third component is something that will have to looked at very closely this coming fall.

Keep in mind that in 2005-06 it is planned to pilot the proposed Kansas plan only and to collect data. Schools that have agreed to pilot will still follow current Kansas regulations; that is, the only sanctions they would receive would be due to failure of not following whatever is in the current KSHSAA handbook.

Hydration:

During standard calendar weeks #17, 18 & 19 the athletes of the pilot schools will be hydrate tested at the time of their alpha weight. Notice that pilot schools will be allowed to determine the alpha weight of their wrestlers BEFORE the season officially starts. (those who come out late? The committee will take up this issue in the fall). The pilot schools will also hydrate test their wrestlers at the time of their certification.

How will the hydration be measured? The use of a color chart will/can be used as a rough screen. If an athletes urine is obviously within the safe range of color, that is good enough. If it is too close for the person doing the determination a "dip stick" will be necessary. The charts will be provided free of charge by the KSHSAA and dip sticks cost about 50 cents each; these measure the specific gravity of the urine.
Refractometers would also be allowed, if schools would want to go to the expense of purchasing them or acdess them elsewhere.

Fat Testing

7% (males) and 12% (females) wll be the optimum measure used for determining optimum wrestling weight.

Whether or not a waiver system will be utilized will have to be discussed further. The athlete whose hydration is OK but has less than 7% body fat should oviously have grounds for a waiver. What about the wrestler whose optimum weight places him between two weight classes? This could perhaps be grounds for a waiever.

Fat testing will take place only once, at the time of the alpha weighin. The two most practical and least inexpensive methods are the use skin calipers or tanita scales. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The tanita has the advantage of being very quick--the disadvantage is that they are somewhat expensive ($1400-$1500). They utilize bioelectrical impedencance to ascertain the amount of fat.

Calipers have the advantage of being inexpensive, but take much longer that the scales if done correctly, are prone to operatior error, and should be done by someone who has training and experience in their use due to the two disadvantages cited above.

The issue of scales vs. calipers in their accuracy and use is no different than some schools still using spring and others digitals in their weighins.

At this point in time it is the intent of the KSHSAA to allow local districts to determine what personnel to use and how to format the measuring of both hydration and fat.

What if the rule was Pilot plan was "real?" Schools will have the three week window before the start of practice to hydrate and fat test. Hydration would determine if a student could be fat tested. If the hydration is too low, no fat test allowed and no alpha weight determined. After an appropriate wait (yet to be determined) the athlete could hydrate test again and if passed, be fat tested and alpha weight taken. No wrestler would be allowed to certify unless they could pass the hydration test first.

The March Issue of the KSHSAA Journal contains an article (pages 15-16) about the work of the committee up to that point and a photo and listing of the members of the committee.

BTW--the rules are being discussed only in relation to highschool wrestling.

Greg Mann; supt211@ruraltel.net

Good post. This will leave a lot open for discussion. The big question that I have is: Do we have a weight control issue in Kansas? I know that when I wrestled in high school there was, but there were not any regs concerning weight control. Now that we have certification at the mid point of the season and more education for the coaches as far as nutrition, I have not seen any weight control issues that are boarderline dangerous. I think that the mind set in wrestling has changed from the "Old School" way of eating ice and running to death has evolved into a more senceable and healthy way of thinking. I also think that by following the proposed weight control outline would limit our wrestlers to certain weight classes and athletic ability. Plus, staying in compliance sounds more difficult than wrestling. (Me not so smart).

Mr. Mann:

Thank you for clarification.

Some points:

Body Fat:

1) The military has adopted a 'body tape' methodology, to replace caliper measurement, with some success. It might be possible to establish/find a database for teenage athletes that can be used following a simple measurement of necksize, chest size and waist. Of course, as with any mechanical quantitative measurement, operator 'dummy resistance' is paramount.

2) I don't know, but I presume that hydration levels and body fat percentages can reasonably be linked, i.e. even if a wrestler has not yet reached the 7% threshold is it still possible for him/her to fail the hydration?

3) If I understand your post correctly, hydration will also be conducted once, prior to the season, or during it's intitial stages. My presumption is that hydration testing is a monitoring device used to prevent wrestlers from exceeding safe weight-loss procedures. To that effect, hydration testing - to have any positive effect - should be mandatory during those week(s) immediately preceding certification.

I wholeheartedly support measures designed to prevent injury and promote healthy competition. In this instance, I believe that body fat testing is very 'doable', but that hydration testing is - in the historical sense - one "Bridge Too Far".

Tim Shea

Coach Craig,

It is my opinion that the rules that we currently have and the rules that are being contemplated have been or are being formulated to try and protect a small number of athletes from themselves--and to "rein in" an even smaller (and getting smaller) number of coaches. Like you, it is my belief and opinion that not as many wrestlers cut as much weight as in the "old days." A lot of this has to do with our coaches being much better informed and more interested in the TOTAL welfare of their athletes.

Mann

Coach Craig,

It is my opinion that the rules that we currently have and the rules that are being contemplated have been or are being formulated to try and protect a small number of athletes from themselves--and to "rein in" an even smaller (and getting smaller) number of coaches. Like you, it is my belief and opinion that not as many wrestlers cut as much weight as in the "old days." A lot of this has to do with our coaches being much better informed and more interested in the TOTAL welfare of their athletes.

Mann

posted April 27, 2005 02:15 PM                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Mann:
Thank you for clarification.
Some points:
Body Fat:
1) The military has adopted a 'body tape' methodology, to replace caliper measurement, with some success. It might be possible to establish/find a database for teenage athletes that can be used following a simple measurement of necksize, chest size and waist. Of course, as with any mechanical quantitative measurement, operator 'dummy resistance' is paramount.

Mr. Shea; am unfamiliar with this procedure--will be brought up at the next meeting as a possibility. We have two medical doctors on the committee plus a certified trainer.

2) I don't know, but I presume that hydration levels and body fat percentages can reasonably be linked, i.e. even if a wrestler has not yet reached the 7% threshold is it still possible for him/her to fail the hydration?

Yes it is possible. Think of a person working outside on a hot day. Chances are they will sweat enough to be dehydrated, but will still have a body fat % that is beyond 7%.

3) If I understand your post correctly, hydration will also be conducted once, prior to the season, or during it's intitial stages. My presumption is that hydration testing is a monitoring device used to prevent wrestlers from exceeding safe weight-loss procedures. To that effect, hydration testing - to have any positive effect - should be mandatory during those week(s) immediately preceding certification.

Do not disagree, however, we are looking to form a system that is not so difficult to implement that the paperwork becomes a detriment to the sport itself. This is one of the major reasons that I personally oppose a descent plan.

I wholeheartedly support measures designed to prevent injury and promote healthy competition. In this instance, I believe that body fat testing is very 'doable', but that hydration testing is - in the historical sense - one "Bridge Too Far".

The medical community who had a large influence on the National Federation Rule would disagree with you.

Mann
Tim Shea

are you serious...... It won't happen state wide.

acbulldog-
Yes this is serious.

Mann

not really I will believe it when I see it.

Mr. Mann (it's odd writing to Mr. Mann when I've spent my entire life fighting "The Man" - haha),

First off, congratulations on your success at Norton this past year. Your community should be proud.

1. As you have pointed out, there are issues we have to consider in relation to how we regulate. 7% is arbitrary, why not 8% or 6%? This should be considered because of the fact that many athletes are under this number - cross country runners coming into the room is an example. The problem with the rules, both body fat and hydration, are multiple. The first problem is the issue of the waver. Who determines who gets a waver? Laws/rules have been established within our systems to be a clear line of yes or no. If a speed sign says 55, then its 55. If you get pulled over doing 60, you're breaking the law. Such is the case with the 7%. By acknowledging there will be allowances or wavers, we are in essence saying it's okay as long as you fill out the proper paperwork. See the 10% weight reduction rule and doctor's permission.

2. Liability - I've got to call you out on this one. I understand that KSHSAA is being proactive in protecting kids from themselves, but something we need to consider is history. In regards to history, can you name me one athlete that has ever died in Kansas from improper weight reduction? Yes, yes, I know there are unscrupulous coaches out there (a very small minority mind you). In fact, I would be hard pressed to throw out some trivia to anyone that could name a wrestler that has passed away (aside from the two college wrestlers in one year) from the past? I can't think of any, but I could be corrected.

3. You immediately threw out the argument of voting rights in the National Federation. I am at odds with this type of thinking. I was present when Mr. Bowden went around to various coaching meetings at the preseason of wrestling a few years back and understood his rationale. I agreed with it totally. The problems I see are faulty logic. On one hand, KSHSAA says out of one side of their mouthes that they don't want kids walking around all day hungry because they wouldn't eat anything all day, yet at the same time, would like to see a hydration/body fat initiative which would encourage proper nutrition. You see, if a kid was properly hydrated, (you can become dehydrated just by not drinking all day before weigh-in), then an afternoon weigh-in for duals and an on site weigh-in for all tournaments should be encouraged. By instituting both the weigh-ins and body fat/hydration tests we will be in full compliance with the nation.

4. Being a voting member does matter. As citizens, it's our public responsibility to vote. We expect it of one another and we should expect it from the governing body of the institution that is safeguarding our athletes. We are upset or should be upset when our Represenatives/Senators don't show up for votes (I know, I know, no one shows up for ALL votes). It's quite another thing to be kicked out of the voting process. As educators we try to guide our students in the right direction and instill upon them the responsibility of voting.

5. FS/GR - yes I'm bringing it up. It would appear to me that the one area our athletes DO get hurt is the one area that KSHSAA is disinterested in discussing. See the post started by Salyer for more info. In a nutshell, we as coaches ARE interested in the athlete's TOTAL welfare, this is why we are so troubled in sending our small town athletes to the only tourney left after the cutoff - state, a national qualifier. If KSHSAA was truely bent on an athlete's welfare, they would work with USA Wrestling Kansas in adopting GR/FS as separate sports from the folkstyle utilized in high school. I haven't seen anyone die yet, but I've seen a few broken arms, dislocated shoulders, etc. from lack of time allowed by the entity that suppose to protect children at the only tourney they can qualify for nationals, i.e. state.

I know if you test most people out of random on hydration testing they won't be hydrated according to acceptable standards. I think when you test you need to make sure kids don't add water to the piss cups to cheat.

Gibby,

I don't think we need to wait for someone to die, or even do serious damage to themselves before implementing safegaurds. The KSHSAA is trying to be proactive here.

And as for being a voting member, it would be nice yes, but not so important as to hurt our athletes. I think the KSHSAA did the right thing, and what Kansas coaches wanted in not adopting the on site weigh in procedure used by the NFHS.

Aaron don't give away all the good ideas for these poor weight cutting kids.

Coach twink stated:

"I don't think we need to wait for someone to die, or even do serious damage to themselves before implementing safegaurds. The KSHSAA is trying to be proactive here."

If this is the stance KSHSAA is taking, then I would agree. If we are looking at proper hydration/nutrition via body fat, then I say institute both the hydration/nutrition and on-site weigh-in. This will bring us into compliance and make us voting members once again. The old saying of "if you don't vote, don't complain," comes to mind. We can't make changes or champion them if we don't have the ability to dispute, via the vote. It's a civic responsibility.

As to the proactive measure, a thought to consider - with the growth of FS/GR in the state and the number of real injuries that occur with athletes not properly trained/coached in these disciplines should be a concern. Deaths/season ending injuries due to hydration/body fat in Kansas = 0, real injuries, a loss of opportunity for athletes to compete at the highest level and earn scholarships, and the disability of many small schools vs. metros in = many.

If KSHSAA was interested in saving injuries/ possible deaths (a suplex placed on a kid that doesn't know how to land can break his neck and kill him), then they would do the responsible thing and recognize FS/GR as different from folkstyle and allow coaches that have athletes that are interested in these disciplines the opportunity to coach them to prevent serious injury.

Enough broken arms, strained backs, dislocated shoulders have evolved from their lack of training. Granted, it won't cure all injuries, but by taking a PROACTIVE step would be a step in the right direction.

I'm concerned about KSHSAA. They do many great things, but not all follow the mission statement they propose:

via KSHSAA's web site:

Goals that Influence Student Learning Outcomes (my comments in parenthesis):


The Kansas State High School Activities Association advocates principles and sponsors services which assure that the state's middle level and high school students gain a balanced preparation for life, work, and post-secondary education. (post-secondary education - an athlete that is stellar in the classroom is not capable of gaining the "balance" sought by the restrictive rules)


Principles on which Intended Outcomes are Based


Principles advocated by the association are promotion of scholastic achievement as a fundamental basis for a well-balanced activity program, and development of effective citizenship through the practice of good sportsmanship. (effective citizenship through good sportsmanship = are they doing this? Part of being a good citizen/good sport is to take your losses in stride, but still work hard to overcome your setbacks. KSHSAA's position of "taking their ball and going home does not follow the mission they have adopted. Just as a good citizen will continue to vote even in defeat, KSHSAA should do the same. Hiding under the guise of "we're doing what's best for our kids," is in my opinion, the exact opposite. We are showing our kids that it's okay to just quit when you know you can't win, which is exactly the message sent by KSHSAA and it non voting status.)


Services to Accomplish the Mission


Services provided by the association are:

1. sponsorship of educational workshops, seminars, conferences and publications designed to inform and positively influence students, parents, educators, and community members in accordance with organizational principles;

2. administration of a program of interscholastic activities, festivals, clinics and contests among member schools;

3. protection of member schools from exploitation by special interest groups; and

4. communication with policy-making bodies to influence decisions consistent with association principles and operational standards. (That's funny, from what I understand from talks with KWCA coaches and others within the wrestling community, communication is "no".)

I do like the way the sport has evolved since I was a kid. It's too bad KSHSAA hasn't evolved at the same rate.

I can name you NO Kansas high school wrestler who has died from cutting too much weight. I certainly hope this is not the standard to be used for moving us in the direction of utilizing the best medical information that we have.

Gibby, You are entitled to your opinion in all that you say. I will however take issue regarding the 7% body fat . It is NOT some "arbitrary" number that was pulled out of the air like the 10% weight loss rule we now have. The 7% (& 12% for females) comes from medical professionals and their professional research--if you want to dispute THEIR research with your anecdotal evidence have at it. Am sure a judge would allow a jury charged with assessing damages in a wrongful injury or death suit to take such an opinion under advisement.

The NF has been known to make some mistakes and correct themselves. You may or may not remember the ill-fated change in weight classes enacted for the 1994-95 wrestling season. It is my opinion that the descent component is an area that will be proven to be a mistake; not due to its philosophy or good intentions, but simply from the inability to oversee and monitor it.

Weigh-ins on-site vs. home-site. Have experienced both ways and in my opinion, and I believe that of most coaches in Kansas, that the on-site is best for most competiors. You may remember that Kansas went back to the on-site weighin seveal years ago after some controversy regarding one school's abuse of the homesite system. The change was made back to the homesite weigh-in after one year, by the KSHSAA, due to the communication received from the coaches and administrators of Kansas. Your opinion is valid and any system can be made to work and any system can be abused or misused; I am just unsure why the NF believes it necessary to have a uniform rule in this area.

As a footnote: It has been my experience over the years that many people consider communication to have been succesful only if they get their way.

In regards to continued discussion regarding this matter I have presented the pilot plan as it is now; and have quite honestly exhausted my limited knowledge! There will be more coming from the KSHSAA vis the work of this committee in the way of refinements, time lines, etc. Is it perfect? No. Will it be perfect? No. Will it require many of us to rethink our current practices and make changes in how we have done things for a long time? Yes.

Those of you who are interested and involved need to stay abreast. The KSHSAA Activities Journal will have further information; I am sure that most school A.D.s will share their issues with you if you don't know where else to find one. I am going to visit with Mr. Bowden about posting the meeting minutes/notes on the KSHSAA web-site. Again, a full listing of the committee members is contained on page 15 of the March Journal; it is an across-the-state representation and you surely know or know of a member. Let them know whether or not we should be full members of the NF; if we should this makes the decision on how to handle this matter a lot simpler!!!!!

The one thing that I can tell you with some certainty is that there is a change in the weight control plan of Kansas coming (acbulldog not withstanding) and it will more closely model the NF rules than it does not.

Yours in wrestling.

Mann
supt211@ruraltel.net

Maybe that is why we wrestle folkstyle during the school year. Why should the KSHSAA be concerned anymore about FS/GR than they are about surfing? Neither happen on their watch or concern their constituents ie. the schools.


"(post-secondary education - an athlete that is stellar in the classroom is not capable of gaining the "balance" sought by the restrictive rules)"

All evidence to the contrary based on the number of Kansas kids wrestling at college levels.


"(effective citizenship through good sportsmanship = are they doing this? Part of being a good citizen/good sport is to take your losses in stride, but still work hard to overcome your setbacks. KSHSAA's position of "taking their ball and going home does not follow the mission they have adopted. Just as a good citizen will continue to vote even in defeat, KSHSAA should do the same. Hiding under the guise of "we're doing what's best for our kids," is in my opinion, the exact opposite. We are showing our kids that it's okay to just quit when you know you can't win, which is exactly the message sent by KSHSAA and it non voting status.)"

I believe that's called winning. Where and when has KSHSAA lost a court ruling? They haven't quit, they just win every time and usually for good reason.

I am not saying that these new tests are not right or good or warranted or anything like that. I do have my opinion and I will keep it to myself because I do not want to get blasted over this deal. I will however say that I do agree with Coach Craig that this whole deal, especially the compliance part, sounds more difficult than wrestling. It sounds like it will be a major head ache for head coaches bordering on nightmare and I think that it will run a lot of good coaches off or at least cut their life span in the profession at that position. Head coaches already have so many problems to deal with and this could be one that breaks the camels back. That will be sad and if that does happen, I could possibly see saying what a waste, what a bad idea. And, I could just be wrong.

Sportsfan,

If you consider being removed from voting in the national adoption of rules as winning, yes we've won. What a great message to send to our kids.

As for their concern for FS/GR, you are right, why should they care? It's not a sport they endorse anyway! So why the regulations against it? Thanks for furthering my point.

Mr. Mann, thanks for the open discussion:

I do maintain that 7% is an arbitrary number based on various factors. 1. In peak competitive form, many sports drop below the 7% threshold. Cross country is one, track is another, swimming is a third. When we institute rules in arbitrary fashion (that's what this is) we run the risk damage to the sport. A wrestler in peak condition could concievably be at a 5 to 6% range. I spent most of my time in high school/college at that level. 2. There is a disagreement even with those in the field of what's a good body fat percentage. 7% is a consensus, not a scientific fact. There's a difference between the two. Granted, they are much more qualified than I to make that distinction with MD, etc, behind their name, but I'm smart enough to critically think.

Bodybuilders on the day of competition have extremely low body fat percentages, as do marathon runners and cross country runners. It's part of peak conditioning.

I for one don't anticipate this being that much of a headache. The hydration test only occurs twice, once before the season begins and once before certification. The only headache would be if an athlete does not pass the hydration test. A proactive coach would make the test available to his athletes several times, to ensure they are familiar with the process.

The fat test only occurs once, before season.

As far as losing our NFHS voting privileges, I personally am glad the KSHSAA has taken a stand and chosen to do what is right for our athlets and coaches in not adopting on site weighins and not adopting the descent plan. If that costs us our vote at a national level, that is the price we need to pay to do what is right for our athletes and the sport of wrestling in Kansas.

From my understanding those developing the new KSHSAA rules have kept athlete safety 1st in their mind, and ease of use for coaches second, which in my mind is exactly the order of importance these concerns should be.

The FS/GR rule the KSHSAA has adopted was NOT the original point of this post. It was to inform the wrestling community about changes that ARE coming. While I do not completely agree with the FS/GR rule, allow me to play devil's advocate. If the KSHSAA were to allow high school coaches to coach FS/GR during the school year, would they then be forced to allow football coaches to coach 7 on 7 during the school year as well. Heck, FB coaches can't even coach 7 on 7 during the summer, so we are better off than some sports. I for one would not be in favor of allowing FB coaches to coach 7 on 7 during the school year because I think we would lose athletes who were forced to make a decision to wrestle or play football year round. Do I completely agree with the rule, no, but I understand that it is an attempt to keep overzealous coaches from monopolizing the athletes' time.

You're right twink,

The original post was to talk about the pilot plan and it's design to protect us from LITIGATION and protecting our kids. I brought GR/FS into the discussion because KSHSAA is talking out both sides of their mouths. I'm not being disrespectful to Mr. Mann, but pointing out the inconsistencies in thought by KSHSAA.

Two things to consider: 1. This is a pilot program and only put in practice twice during the year as a study. 2. What is the official ruling for the 06-07 year by the National Federation. There doesn't seem to be a clear definition on how often the states have to conduct the tests. Is it every weigh in or will two do?

Interesting article found in the NCAA News from '99. I've bolded important information.

The NCAA News -- September 27, 1999

Sports Sciences Education Newsletter

Weighing the options: are regular weigh-ins beneficial?

BY ROBIN E. LEVINE, MA, RD, CDE
UNIV. OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST

The discussion of regularly weighing student-athletes or setting weight goals can become a highly charged and polarized discussion. The problem lies in the fact that there are indeed both pros and cons to having student-athletes jump on the scale or to assessing their body composition. Some understanding of the issues involved may help coaches and athletic department administrators make an informed decision concerning weight issues.

Weigh-ins

Checking sweat losses by weighing student-athletes before and after practice can be a useful tool in determining a hydration plan for individual players. Another benefit may be found in the case of first-year student-athletes who are not accustomed to the rigors of collegiate athletics and who may be unaware that the intensity of their workouts can place them at risk for a calorie deficit.

In other words, the fatigue they are experiencing may be measured in pounds lost on the scale. Another useful aspect of weigh-ins is monitoring a student-athlete's attempt at weight gain or loss. Dramatic increases or decreases can be an indicator of an individual's possible use of steroids or the existence of an eating disorder, respectively.

Yet, despite these apparent benefits of weight checks, there is also a great deal of concern about the practice of regular weigh-ins. According to Monika Woolsey, a registered dietitian who worked with student-athletes at Arizona State University, "it is important to consider the psychological consequences of daily reminders of weight and determine if the benefits outweigh such."

Patti Steinmuller, a registered dietitian and instructor at Montana State University, supports periodic body weight monitoring in a private setting, if it is to be done for purposes of assessing or monitoring hydration status. She does think that the weigh-in issue is more problematic for females. She feels that it is especially important for female athletes to be educated in the purpose of weigh-ins for monitoring hydration so that the athletes understand and appreciate body composition. Rick Lewis of the University of Georgia agrees that weighing before and after practice is an essential tool for assessing hydration status, especially for a sports like football, basketball, soccer, etc.

However, when it come to some women's sports, Dr. Lewis is concerned about any overemphasis on weight. Both Lewis and Woolsey recommend taking a different route. Woolsey prefers to follow standard hydration guidelines. If there is a student-athlete with a problem, then do weigh-ins over the short term to determine if hydration is the true problem. She has found that the decrease in weight or performance is often related more to overtraining, depression or an eating disorder.

A decade ago, very few people in athletic departments had heard about the Female Athlete Triad. Although the development of disordered eating has mainly been seen in the female athlete population, male athletes have also felt the pressure of meeting an expectation around leanness, muscularity and "definition."

In addition, for males, "bulking up" to meet certain weight goals has pushed them to look for quick fixes through steroids or over the counter "supplements" - with unknown risk.

Optimal weight/Optimal body composition

Is there such a thing as an optimal weight for performance? Ten years ago, Dr. Randa Ryan, associate director of women's athletics at the University of Texas at Austin set out to find the answer to this question.

The purpose of the study was to find out if taking the pressure off "weight" and "body composition" while instituting a comprehensive educational program about the relationship between nutrition, training, body weight, body composition and performance could be an effective strategy for producing stronger and healthier student-athletes.

At the end of the year, Ryan and Texas' women's trainer, Tina Bonci, discovered that their female student-athletes were healthier, happier and displayed a general trend downward in sum of skinfolds and body composition percentage and an upward trend in muscle weight.

At the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, researchers investigated how weigh-ins affected performance. Women's gymnastics and women's swimming are often thought to be two high-risk sports for the potential development of eating disorders. At Massachusetts several years ago, both teams began working with a sports nutritionist hired by the athletic department.

Both teams discontinued checking and measuring weight and body composition. Instead, sports nutrition education with student-athletes and coaches in individual as well as team settings replaced the scale rituals and body composition measurements. Rather than performances going down, both teams have not only steadily improved their win/loss records but have continued to have student-athletes break team and school records.

What about body composition? Isn't this a more accurate measure and predictor of performance? Determination of fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) can be estimated by a variety of body composition assessment techniques. Dr. Greg Kline, of the Massachusetts Department of exercise science explains that the word "estimated" is used because the only way to know someone's true body composition is to perform an autopsy.

According to Dr. Kline, under ideal conditions, under water weighing (UWW), considered one of the most accurate methods, has been shown to be able to estimate percent body fat with an error of approximately ± 2% to 3%
. Skinfold thickness measurements have been shown to produce an estimate of percent body fat with an error of approximately ± 7% to 8%
.

Note: the "± " value given here is based on an approximate 95% prediction interval which is calculated as ± 2 times the standard error of the estimate (SEE). The magnitude of error is very often given as ± 1 x SEE which provides an approximate 68% prediction interval which means that 32% of individuals with any given estimated percent body fat will fall outside the estimated range.
So what does all this mean? If a student-athlete's actual percent body fat was 15%, the methods used to estimate percent body fat could produce results ranging from 12% to 18% body fat for UWW; 8% to 22% for skinfold thickness; and 7% to 23% for BIA. Given the potential error in estimation and the resulting possible range of percent body fat values for a given individual, it is no wonder that there is a great deal of variation in body compositions of elite athletes in a given sport. Thus, although there have been published data on percentage body fat for elite competitors in various athletic groups, any given individual within that group could range for example from 4 - 12% for male runners or 10 - 21% for female swimmers.
Dr. Ryan and Dr. Lewis both agree that if recommendations are to be made, it is better to base these on a desired range rather than on a single percentage point. These are best used as estimations of changes in body composition with full understanding of the degree of error inherent in these methods.
In summary, optimal weight or body composition for student-athletes in a given sport can vary. The weight and body composition at which the student-athlete can not only perform at his or her best, but be able to maintain that level of performance over time without risk of injury, short or long term physical and mental health is optimal for that athlete. While the jury is deliberating on whether or not we should use scales or calipers, the guidelines above may help to maximize safety and minimize potential risk.


Mr. Mann, as I stated once before, the numbers are arbitrary. There is no exact test we can administer due to the variances in the testing. These are key arguments that could have been brought up during the voting debates, which we cannot be a part of...............