Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Performance Differences Between Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestlers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Süleyman Ulupınar1, Serhat Özbay2, Cebrail Gençoğlu2
1Ministry of Education, Ermenek District National Education Directorate, Karaman, Turkey.
Greco-Roman wrestlers exhibit superior isometric strength, muscle power, and speed, while freestyle wrestlers demonstrate greater flexibility. These performance differences may reflect distinct training strategies tailored to each wrestling style.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Physiology
- Wrestling Performance Analysis
Background:
- Wrestling encompasses two primary styles: Greco-Roman (GR) and freestyle (Fr).
- Distinct technical demands and movement patterns exist between GR and Fr wrestling.
- Understanding physiological performance differences can inform training optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing research on performance disparities between GR and Fr wrestlers.
- To quantify differences in strength, power, endurance, speed, and flexibility.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search and meta-analysis of 11 studies.
- Inclusion of data from 752 wrestlers across 91 individual data points.
- Analysis of outcomes related to handgrip strength, isometric strength, muscle power, strength endurance, anaerobic capacity, speed, and flexibility.
Main Results:
- Greco-Roman wrestlers showed significantly greater isometric strength, muscle power, and speed.
- Freestyle wrestlers demonstrated significantly greater flexibility.
- No significant differences were found in handgrip strength, strength endurance, or anaerobic capacity.
Conclusions:
- Greco-Roman wrestlers possess advantages in strength, power, and speed, potentially due to targeted training.
- Freestyle wrestlers excel in flexibility, likely linked to the sport's technical requirements for a wider range of motion.
- Divergent training strategies may underpin the observed performance differences between the two wrestling styles.
More Related Videos
10:08Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
Published on: June 10, 2025
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...