Page 142 - Safe Wrestling

Marina Dobnik and Rok Vatovec

quence of exercises (Gioftsidou et al., 2015; United World Wrestling). This
contribution provides an applied overview of Wrestling Plus, summarises
the currently available evidence regarding its effectiveness, and presents
practical guidelines for integrating the programme into routine wrestling
training.

Methods
Design and Conceptual Approach
This contribution was developed as a focused narrative overview and ap-
plied programme description. The primary aim was to summarise the
rationale, structure, and practical implementation of the Wrestling Plus
warm-up protocol, while integrating key findings from available inter-
vention studies with coach-oriented guidance for applied practice. The
contribution includes: (1) a brief synthesis of evidence regarding pro-
gramme effectiveness and (2) a structured presentation of programme
content organised according to the three programme blocks.

Evidence and Source Material
The contribution drew on peer-reviewed publications evaluating the
Wrestling Plus protocol, as well as official programme materials describ-
ing exercise sequences, progressions, and delivery principles. In addi-
tion, background literature on structured neuromuscular warm-ups and
programme implementation was used to support the interpretation of
programme feasibility and integration into routine wrestling practice.

Selection and Synthesis
Sources were prioritised if they:
1. evaluated Wrestling Plus in wrestling populations using experimen-
tal or controlled study designs;
2. reported injury outcomes and/or functional performance and move-
ment-related outcomes; and/or
3. provided sufficient methodological detail to support applied inter-
pretation (e.g., programme duration, weekly frequency, population
characteristics, and adherence).

Evidence was synthesised narratively, with study characteristics and
outcome measures summarised in tabular form. Programme content
was subsequently organised into an applied framework consisting of
three programme blocks and 14 exercises, with emphasis placed on pro-
gression principles and practical coaching cues.

142