Oxygen desaturation induced by the static apnea test: A potential performance predictor in elite greco-roman wrestling

Abstract

This observational study spans five years of activity (2019-2021 and 2023-2024) with the senior Greco-Roman wrestling national team focusing primarily on XXXII and XXXIII Olympic Games as well as each European and World Championships for Seniors, U23 and U20 categories during the same period. Between various parameters like body-mass index, maximal oxygen uptake, forced vital capacity, relative force index, maximum heart rate and other data, the attention was focused on oxygen desaturation process recorded during a single static apnea. The research data were annually updated using official international results. The study aimed to identify potential commonalities among athletes who achieved medals in major events during the research period: a restricted number of only four medalists from a total of twenty-six athletes were identified during the research. The data collection process was supported by certified equipment, providing information both during specific efforts and at rest for each subject. For a select group of athletes, across two consecutive Olympic cycles, superior spirometry values and oxygen desaturation patterns during static apnea predicted good results in official Greco-Roman wrestling events. The analysis of oxygen desaturation offers a new approach to evaluating performance in our sport domain, and the methodology continues to be refined. Findings from this type of study can help trainers identify wrestlers with innate abilities to sustain exhaustive and complex efforts, facilitating the attainment of exceptional results. More recently, training programs can be enhanced with assessments using affordable and reliable equipment adapted to the evolving conditions of sports environments.