TIME-DYNAMIC STUDY OF HIGH-INTENSITY ACTIONS DURING COMPETITIVE MALE INTERCOLLEGIATE FREESTYLE WRESTLING MATCHES

Freestyle wrestling is characterized by explosive, high-intensity actions occurring within short, strategically chosen time intervals. Understanding how such actions vary across different phases of a match can provide valuable insights for coaches, trainers, and performance analysts. The present study examines the time-dynamic distribution of high-intensity actions during competitive male intercollegiate freestyle wrestling matches. Through systematic video analysis of 40 matches, the study quantifies the frequency, duration, and temporal patterning of high-intensity actions such as takedown attempts, successful takedowns, rapid counterattacks, lifts, and explosive positional changes. Findings indicate that high-intensity actions are not uniformly distributed across match time; instead, they peak during the opening minute and the final minute of the bout. Winners consistently demonstrated higher action density and shorter recovery intervals between bursts. The study highlights the significance of time-specific conditioning, tactical pacing, and match-phase strategy in improving wrestling performance.