Prevention of common wrestling injuries

Wrestling, both a contact and collision sport, places extreme demands on the entire body. These demands all too often result in injury. With injury rates second only to football (41), strength and conditioning professionals must understand not only injuries common to wrestling but also how a properly designed, well-planned strength training and conditioning program may help to decrease this high injury rate. The sections that follow provide a brief overview of wrestling, including its muscular and physiological demands, and suggestions for exercises intended to reduce the risk of common injuries while improving performance.