Page 171 - Safe Wrestling

About the Project

Project Safe Wrestling – Women in Wrestling for Equal Opportunities
(Erasmus+ Sport 2024–2026; No. 101182713) was designed to establish
a safe, inclusive, and development-oriented environment for young fe-
male and male wrestlers.
The central goal of the project was to reduce the incidence of injuries
in youth wrestling and to strengthen the preventive competencies of
coaches, clubs, and educational institutions. The project brought togeth-
er partners from several European countries and was based on a mul-
tidisciplinary approach that integrates sport science, pedagogy, health
sciences, and gender equality.
The project focused on the development of evidence-based preven-
tive models, warm-up protocols, diagnostic tools, and educational mod-
ules for coaches and physical education teachers. It addressed key risk
factors in wrestling-biomechanical, developmental, psychological, and
organisational-and developed tools for risk identification, load moni-
toring, and safer technical learning. Particular attention was devoted to
young female athletes, who during adolescence face increased biome-
chanical and psychosocial challenges, as well as limited access to tailored
preventive programmes.
The project also strengthened safety culture in clubs, promotes equal
opportunities in sport, and develops sustainable guidelines for nation-
al federations and local communities. Its outcomes include educational
materials, preventive manuals, the Safe Wrestling monograph, and dig-
ital resources that support the long-term implementation of safe prac-
tice in European youth wrestling. The entire structure of the project was
oriented towards a sustainable, inclusive, and health-protective sporting
environment that enables young athletes to pursue high-quality, long-
term athletic development.

171