Methods of predictive selection in wrestling compared with martial arts

Background & Study Aim: An important element of effective athlete selection and training quality management is the monitoring of the functional state. This process is based on the analysis and prediction of the dynamics of morph functional features. The aimed of this paper is the recommendation of an innovative methodology for predictive selec- tion in wrestling compared with martial arts, using Wald sequential analysis.Material & Methods: Six anthropometric indices and 20 goniometric indices were determined. Four physical development indices were calculated on their basis. The 26 elite athletes were divided into groups. The first group 11 wrestlers (Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling), 18.36 +/- 0.34 years. The second group 15 martial arts/combat sports athletes (karate, taekwondo), 17.93 +/- 0.26 years. A selection prognostic table was developed, containing phys- ical development and goniometric indices. The selection procedure consists of evaluating the results, deter- mining the corresponding coefficient, and summing up these coefficients until one of the prognostic thresh- olds is reached.Results: The informativeness of the indices ranged from 286.95 to 9.80 The value of the positive (+) threshold was 20 (p<0.01), and the negative (-) threshold was 13 (p<0.05). Exceeding the positive threshold indicates an ath- lete's perspective in wrestling. Reaching a negative threshold corresponds to the perspective in martial arts.Conclusions: The most significant predictors of selection are the indices of shoulder width, Erisman, and wrist power in- dex. Simplicity, informativeness, and specificity of the used tests permit to recommend this method for using in monitoring of the functional state of martial arts athletes.