Dobbs, Ward C.

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to cross-validate previously developed RMR prediction equations using laboratory measurements of RMR as a criterion. Methods: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 60) and III (n = 113) male wrestlers participated in the current study (n = 173; Age: 19.6 ± 1.5 yrs.; Height: 176.3 ± 6.3 cm; Weight: 76.6 ± 10.9 kg; Body Fat: 11.4 ± 3.0%). Indirect calorimetry was used to measure RMR and Skinfold thickness was used to estimate body fat percentage (BF%) during the preseason period under standardized dress (underwear only), fasting, and resting conditions. Results: Mean measured RMR was 2102±341 kcal·d −1 . All body mass-based RMR prediction equations significantly underestimated the measured RMR, with the exception of the Jagim and Schofield equations. The Tinsley fat-free mass (FFM) equation and the Cunningham equation had the lowest constant error (CE) values when compared to measured RMR (mean bias ± standard error: 80 ± 20 kcal and 126 ± 20 kcal·d −1 , respectively). Linear regression indicated the Tinsley FFM (R 2 = 0.422, RMSE = 279 kcals, %RMSE = 13.3%), and Cunningham FFM equations had the closest agreement to measured RMR (R 2 = 0.422, RMSE = 301 kcals, %RMSE = 14.3%), along with the Jagim equation for a body mass-based prediction equation (R 2 = 0.377, RMSE = 338 kcals, %RMSE = 16.1%). The standard error of the estimate (SEE) ranged from 260 to 272 kcal·day −1 across equations. Coefficients of determination (R 2 ) ranged from 37% to 42%. The new body mass and FFM-based equations exhibited good agreement based on the CE (26 and -13 kcal·day −1 ), RMSE (274 and 252 kcal·day −1 ), respectively. Conclusions: The newly developed equations demonstrated mean bias <2% of measured RMR.

Abstract Jagim, AR, Dobbs, WC, Horswill, CA, Twohey, E, Fields, JB, and Jones, MT. Prevalence and magnitude weight loss among collegiate wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 40(1): 90–97, 2026—The purpose of this study was to examine the percentage of wrestlers who compete in their minimal weight class (MWC), and the magnitude of weight loss. Data from the 2023–2024 collegiate season were retrospectively analyzed resulting in a sample of 9,638 collegiate male wrestlers from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ( n = 1,904) and all 3 divisions of the National Collegiate Athletics Association ( n = 7,734). All wrestlers completed skinfold assessments for weight certification at the start of the competition season. The lowest recorded weight class (LRW) achieved by each wrestler during the season was also recorded and used to determine magnitude of weight loss. Out of the 4,605 (53.2%) of wrestlers who competed in their MWC, their average amount of weight loss was significantly higher than those who did not compete in their MWC (3.9 ± 2.5 vs. 3.2 ± 2.9 kg.; p < 0.001), yet they had an initial lower body fat percentage (12.7 ± 2.9 vs. 17.5 ± 4.8%; p < 0.001). At the time of weight certification, wrestlers weighed 8.1 ± 4.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.0–8.2; effect size (ES) = 1.8) kg more than their minimal wrestling weight. The LRW was 3.6 ± 2.9 (95% CI: 3.6–3.7; ES = 1.2) kg lower than their weight at the time of weight certification. Given that slightly more than half of the male wrestlers competed in their MWC, coaches and sports practitioners should recognize that not all athletes follow the traditional assumption of cutting to the lowest possible weight class. Importantly, those who did achieve their MWC had lower initial body fat percentages, limiting the amount of weight they could safely lose. This underscores the need for individualized weight management strategies that consider body composition and health implications.

Abstract Twohey, E, Dobbs, WC, Malone, CM, Fields, JB, Jones, MT, and Jagim, AR. The use of a consumer-grade bioelectrical impedance analysis device for weight certification in collegiate wrestling: Implications for minimal wrestling weight determination. J Strength Cond Res 39(12): 1321–1326, 2025—Wrestlers are required to complete a preseason weight certification assessment, which includes a weigh-in, a hydration test, and a body fat percentage (BF%) measurement. This information is then used to establish their minimal wrestling weight (MWW) and minimal weight class. Skinfold (SKF) is the primary method used for determining body fat for collegiate wrestling, yet impedance devices are being considered for use in the future. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body fat and the resulting MWW values derived from SKF and a consumer-grade multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) device. Thirty-one collegiate male wrestlers produced a urine sample for urine specific gravity assessment to ensure adequate hydration status. Subjects then completed a weigh-in, followed by 2 body composition assessments using a (a) MFBIA device and (b) skinfold calipers to determine body density and BF%. No significant differences were observed for estimates of BF% (SKF: 13.4 ± 2.8% vs. MFBIA: 14.0 ± 3.3%; p = 0.198) or computed MWW values (SKF: 69.8 ± 8.7 kg vs. MFBIA: 69.4 ± 9.7 kg; p = 0.348) between devices. When determining the minimal weight class for each device, there were discrepancies in 11 of the 31 wrestlers (35%). Although the current MFBIA device can provide an acceptable estimate of BF% and similar resulting MWW value at the group level, the methods cannot be used interchangeably.

Abstract VanZile, AW, Jones, DD, McHugh, LJ, Clickovich, GL, Morales, MA, Reimschisel, RK, Widenhoefer, TL, Baughman, JT, Urquidi, MD, Conner, DJ, Dobbs, WC, Jagim, AR, Luedke, JA, and Almonroeder, TG. Examining countermovement jump performance and dynamic balance among male high school athletes with varying levels of sports specialization. J Strength Cond Res 39(11): 1163–1168, 2025—Specializing at a young age may limit an athlete's motor development, since focusing on a single sport potentially exposes athletes to less variety of movements and neuromuscular demands. However, there are few studies examining the association between sport specialization and movement performance/control. The purpose of this study was to compare countermovement jump performance and dynamic balance among high school athletes of varying levels of sports specialization. 110 male high school athletes completed countermovement jump testing and the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Ground reaction forces were recorded during countermovement jumps and used to derive peak force, peak velocity, peak power, jump height, and the modified reactive strength index. Y-Balance Test composite scores were calculated to assess dynamic balance across multiple directions, for the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Athletes were grouped into high ( n = 46), moderate ( n = 39), and low ( n = 25) specialization groups based on their sport participation habits. There were no between-group differences for any of the countermovement jump metrics ( p > 0.05). For the YBT composite scores, there was not a group-by-limb interaction effect ( p = 0.28); however, there was a main effect of group ( p = 0.03). Post hoc tests indicated that the high specialization group exhibited lower YBT composite scores compared to the moderate specialization group ( p = 0.01) and a trend toward lower scores compared to the low specialization group ( p = 0.05). In general, highly specialized male athletes exhibited poorer dynamic balance compared to less specialized athletes.

Abstract Dobbs, WC, Almonroeder, TG, Carpenter, M, Schmitt, RE, Jacobson, AK, Luedke, JA, Roberts, BM, and Jagim, AR. Relationships between the Army Combat Fitness Test scoring structure and laboratory measurements of physical fitness in reserve officer training corps cadets. J Strength Cond Res 39(7): 798–808, 2025—The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) assesses aerobic and anaerobic fitness capabilities in the U.S. Army. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between raw and composite ACFT scores and laboratory-based measurements of fitness. Nineteen Reserve Officers' Training Corp cadets performed a battery of laboratory-based fitness testing. Tests included a movement screening (Fusionetics), countermovement jumps, and maximal isometric mid-thigh pulls on portable force plates to determine power and strength. A Wingate test involving maximal cycling for 30 seconds was used to determine peak and mean power. On a separate day, cadets completed body composition and a graded exercise test on a motorized treadmill to determine peak oxygen uptake (V̇ o 2 peak). Pearson correlations and partial corrections with 2000 bootstraps were used to compare ACFT scores (raw, composite, gender-neutral composite, and z -scores) with laboratory results. Significant associations were identified as 95% confidence intervals, not including zero. The results indicated that V̇ o 2 peak ( r = 0.61, [0.08–0.84]), body fat percentage ( r = −0.4, [−0.72 to −0.06]), and relative peak power ( r = 0.38, [0.02–0.68]) were associated with the total ACFT composite score when partialled by sex. All laboratory tests, except the movement screening, showed meaningful associations with total ACFT z -scores and gender-neutral ACFT scores ( r > 0.54). However, most relationships were eliminated when partialled out by sex, which may be due to a low sample size of women. This suggests the current scoring structure utilized for men is representative of aerobic and anaerobic fitness parameters and may be able to discriminate performance levels.

Abstract Jagim, AR, Horswill, CA, Dobbs, WC, Twohey, EE, Tinsley, GM, Fields, JB, and Jones, MT. Minimum wrestling weight for high school girls wrestling: Time to revisit minimal body fat percent. J Strength Cond Res 39(3): 332–339, 2025—The purpose of this study was to determine whether an alternative body fat percentage (BF%) could be established as a safer margin for minimal wrestling weight (MWW) determination by evaluating the distribution of BF% and MWW values naturally occurring for high school girls wrestling. Data from the 2022–2023 high school season were retrospectively analyzed. In total, 33,321 female wrestlers completed skinfold (SKF) assessments or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in accordance with sport governing body mandates for weight certification. Frequency statistics and descriptive analysis were performed to compute normative MWW and BF% profiles. Body fat percentage thresholds of 12% (12MWW) and the BF% value defining the lowest fifth percentile were used to determine the resulting MWW and minimum weight class for each method. The median ± interquartile range for BF% was 28.3 ± 9.2%. There was a difference ( p < 0.001) in BF% values between BIA (28.4 ± 6.8%) and SKF (29.4 ± 7.6%), but a trivial effect size (ES = 0.14). The fifth percentile for BF% was 19%, which was used for alternative MWW determination (19MWW). 12MWW and 19MWW were 11.2 ± 6.4 kg ( p < 0.001; ES = 1.8) and 8.6 ± 7.7 kg ( p < 0.001; ES = 1.1) lower than the body mass of the wrestlers at the time of weight certification. Nearly all BF% values were above the 12% threshold currently used to determine MWW. Current body weights were more than 9.1 kg above MWW values for both 12MWW and 19MWW. Increasing the minimum BF% threshold from 12 to 19% would affect a small percentage of wrestlers and improve the margin of safety for those intent on achieving a lower weight class.