College wrestlers who rapidly cut weight more prone to injury, UW study finds

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Collegiate wrestlers who cut weight through dehydration to compete at a lower weight class were more likely to be injured during competition and no more likely to win.

That's according to a new study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

The study finds that the larger the percentage of body weight the wrestlers lost, the more likely they were to be injured during a competition.

"To make that weight class, they have to dehydrate themselves, primarily through sweating and exercise," said Assistant Professor of Orthopedics Dr. Erin Hammer.

The NCAA is taking more steps to reduce harm from rapid weight cutting. 

This includes moving the weigh-in closer to the match time and establishing a lowest minimum weight class a wrestler can compete in.

However, researchers say the issues caused by weight cutting still remain.