Authors: Florentin Iuliu Vasilescu 1, Nicoleta Leonte 2, Dan Cristea 2
Affiliation
1 Sports Club no 5, Bucharest, Romania
2 National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Background. In the context of increasing physical demands in combat sports, injury prevention among junior athletes has become a key component of modern training approaches.
Aims. This study aimed to implement and evaluate an integrated injury prevention program for junior Greco-Roman wrestlers aged 15 to 17. The intervention focused on functional strengthening of the musculoskeletal system, sport-specific health education, and effort self-regulation, all tailored to the characteristics of the discipline.
Methods. The research was conducted at the School Sports Club No. 5 in Bucharest in collaboration with the Center for Research and Innovation in Sport – Politehnica Bucuresti, over an eight-month period (September 2024 – April 2025), involving two homogeneous groups of 12 athletes each. The experimental group followed a complementary protocol in addition to the standard curriculum, which included stabilization exercises, progressive warm-up routines, self-massage and active recovery techniques, informational sessions on training hygiene, and the maintenance of a self-monitoring journal.
Results. Evaluation was performed through continuous monitoring of injury incidence (minor, moderate, and severe) and musculoskeletal symptomatology throughout the intervention. The comparative results indicated a significant decrease in injury frequency within the experimental group, confirming the effectiveness of the program in reducing sport-specific risks among junior Greco-Roman wrestlers.
Conclusion. These findings highlight the importance of introducing structured preventive measures from the early stages of athletic development, with direct benefits for athlete safety and training continuity.
Keywords: injury prevention, Greco-Roman wrestling, junior athletes, joint stability, health education, sports rehabilitation.
Strategies for the prevention of injuries in junior Greco-roman wrestlers
