Performance EnhancementNCT07193121
Effects of Wrestling Training on Psychological Well-Being, Anxiety, and Resilience in Adolescent Sedanter Boys
A study testing Wrestling Group in people with Performance Enhancement and Supportive Care, run by Gümüşhane Universıty at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study investigated the psychological effects of a six-week, non-competitive wrestling training program in sedentary adolescent boys. Thirty participants were assigned to either a wrestling group or a control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 15 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Performance Enhancement, Supportive Care
- What is being tested?
- Wrestling Group
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Apr 2025to 10 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 15 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Male adolescents aged 12-15 years
- Sedentary lifestyle, defined as engaging in less than 60 minutes of regular physical training per week during the previous six months
- No prior experience in wrestling or any other organized combat sports
- Healthy with no known medical conditions that could interfere with participation
Who cannot join
- Respiratory disease (chronic or acute)
- Musculoskeletal injuries that could impede training participation
- Chronic illnesses requiring ongoing medical treatment
- Diagnosed psychological disorders that could affect their ability to safely engage in physical activity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Wrestling Training on Psychological Well-Being, Anxiety, and Resilience in Adolescent Boys
This randomized controlled study investigated the psychological effects of a six-week, non-competitive wrestling training program in sedentary adolescent boys. Thirty participants were assigned to either a wrestling group or a control group. Psychological well-being (WHO-5), sport anxiety (SAS-2), and resilience (BPRS) were measured before and after the intervention.
The wrestling group showed significant improvements in well-being and psychological resilience, along with marked reductions in total sport anxiety and its subcomponents (worry, somatic anxiety, concentration disruption). All changes demonstrated large effect sizes, while the control group exhibited no meaningful positive changes.
Overall, the findings suggest that even short-term, structured wrestling training can enhance emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, and strengthen resilience in adolescent boys. The study highlights wrestling as a promising physical activity for supporting youth mental health.
Read the detailed description
Detailed Description of the Study Purpose and Rationale The study explores how short-term wrestling training affects psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys. While the physical benefits of wrestling are well known, its psychological impacts-especially in non-competitive, beginner contexts-have been insufficiently studied. Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by heightened emotional sensitivity and vulnerability to stress and anxiety. Given the known mental health benefits of structured physical activity, the authors aimed to determine whether wrestling could serve as a mental health-supportive intervention for youth.
Study Design and Participants
The research employed a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design involving 30 sedentary male adolescents aged 12-15 years. Participants were divided into:
Wrestling Group (n = 15) Control Group (n = 15) Inclusion criteria ensured no prior experience with wrestling or other combat sports and minimal physical activity in the preceding six months. The study was ethically approved and conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki.
Intervention The wrestling group completed a six-week structured wrestling program with sessions three times per week, each lasting 60 minutes. The program progressed through foundational stances, entries, defensive techniques, agility, strength drills, and integrated combined training sessions. Warm-ups, dynamic stretching, and wrestling-specific drills formed each session's core. All sessions were supervised by certified coaches, with 100% adherence and no injuries.
The control group maintained their daily routines without added exercise.
Measurements
Three validated psychological scales were used:
WHO-5 Well-Being Index Measures positive mood and general well-being.
Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)
Includes subscales for:
Worry Somatic Anxiety Concentration Disruption Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS) Evaluates ability to recover from stress. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention under standardized laboratory conditions.
Statistical Analysis Data normality was examined with the Shapiro-Wilk test. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA evaluated group × time interactions, with Bonferroni post-hoc tests where necessary. Partial eta squared (ηp²) quantified effect sizes, interpreted based on established benchmarks.
Key Findings
- Psychological Well-Being The wrestling group showed a significant increase in WHO-5 well-being scores. The control group showed no significant change. The effect size was large (ηp² = 0.717).
- Sport Anxiety Overall sport anxiety and all its subcomponents exhibited significant changes: Worry Wrestling group: significant decrease Control group: significant increase Somatic Anxiety Significant decreases in both groups, though greater in the wrestling group. Concentration Disruption Wrestling group: significant decrease Control group: significant increase Total Sport Anxiety Wrestling group: strong reduction Control group: strong increase Effect size extremely large (ηp² = 0.938)
- Psychological Resilience Wrestling group: significant improvement Control group: no change Effect size: ηp² = 0.519 Interpretation of Results
The data indicate that structured, non-competitive wrestling training:
Enhances emotional well-being Reduces both cognitive and physical symptoms of anxiety Supports the development of resilience and stress recovery abilities Helps maintain concentration and reduce performance-related worry These findings align with prior research showing psychological benefits of combat sports, such as improved self-control, emotional regulation, and coping strategies.
The simultaneous increase in anxiety in the control group suggests that adolescence alone may contribute to rising stress levels-highlighting the protective role of physical activity.
Practical Implications
The study provides evidence that wrestling, even at a beginner level, can serve as:
A preventive mental health intervention A structured environment that promotes emotional stability A method to build psychological resilience in adolescent boys A supportive physical activity option for school and community programs The influence appears beneficial even within six weeks, without competitive pressures.
Limitations Small sample size (n = 30) Only male adolescents Conducted within a single cultural context Short intervention duration No long-term follow-up Future studies should investigate long-term effects, gender differences, hormonal or neurophysiological mechanisms (e.g., cortisol, HRV), and comparisons with other sports.
Conclusion The study demonstrates that a six-week wrestling training program significantly improves psychological well-being and resilience while reducing sport-related anxiety in adolescent boys. These findings support the potential of wrestling as a valuable tool for promoting youth mental health in structured, safe, non-competitive environments.
- Conditions
- Performance Enhancement, Supportive Care
- Being tested
- Wrestling Group, Control
- Keywords
- combat sports, psychological resilience, well-being, anxiety, mental health
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Wrestling GroupOther
Both groups underwent baseline assessments before the intervention and post-tests after six weeks. The Wrestling Group participated in a structured wrestling training program, while the Control Group maintained their usual daily routines without additional exercise.
ControlDevice
No intervention
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| wrestling training Group | Experimental | Both groups underwent baseline assessments before the intervention and post-tests after six weeks. The Wrestling Group participated in a structured wrestling training program, while the Control Group maintained their usual daily routines without additional exercise. Receives: Other: Wrestling Group; Device: Control |
| CONTROL | No intervention | Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
WHO-5 Well-Being Index
The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief global measure of current psychological well-being. It consists of five positively phrased items that reflect mood, vitality, and general life satisfaction.
Measured: 6 week
Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)
The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) was used to assess multidimensional components of sport-related anxiety. The scale includes 15 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = not at all, 4 = very much).
Measured: 6 week
Secondary outcomes (2)
Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS)
The Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS) evaluates an individual's capacity to "bounce back" or recover quickly from stressful situations. It includes 6 items rated on a 5-point Likert scaleintervention
Measured: 6 week
Body composition measurement
In the study, body composition (e.g., body fat percentage and muscle mass) was assessed using a Jawon Medical GAIA 359 Plus bioelectrical impedance analyzer (Jawon Medical Co., South Korea), with data managed through the BodyPass software (GAIA 359 Plus version). This device was used to confirm that all participants had comparable baseline body characteristics. Body weight was recorded using the same analyzer, while height (cm) was measured with a portable stadiometer
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Sep 2025
- Study start15 Apr 2025
- Primary completion20 May 2025
- Study completion10 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Performance EnhancementStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Model Description The statistical framework of the study was based on a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) designed to evaluate the effects of the wrestling intervention over time while accounting for within-subject and between-group variability. Model Structure The analytic model included: Within-subject factor: Time (2 levels: Pre-test, Post-test) Between-subject factor: Group (2 levels: Wrestling Group, Control Group) This produced a 2 × 2 mixed-model design, allowing the evaluation of: Main effect of Time Indicates whether psychological variables changed across the entire sample from pre- to post-test. Main effect of Group Tests whether the groups differed overall, independent of time. Group × Time interaction The primary parameter of interest, indicating whether the pattern of change over time differed between groups. Model Assumptions The repeated-measures ANOVA relied on the following assumptions: Normality:Shapiro-Wilk test. Homogeneity of Variance; Spherici
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gümüşhane Universıty
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Coşkun YILMAZ, Gümüşhane Universıty
- Investigators
- coşkun yılmaz, associate professor, Principal investigator, Gümüşhane Universıty
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07193121
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/06
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Publications
Ozkan R, Yilmaz C, Uzun RN, Bayrakdaroglu S, Akar OO, Oz F, Cicekli A, Cicekli A, Dal S, Ursu VE, Citozi R, Geanta VA. Effects of wrestling training on psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys. BMC Psychol. 2026 Jan 23;14(1):239. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-03962-3.
PubMed 41578413
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Wrestling Training on Psychological Well-Being, Anxiety, and Resilience in Adolescent Boys
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07193121
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025/06
- Conditions
- Performance Enhancement, Supportive Care
- Keywords
- combat sports, psychological resilience, well-being, anxiety, mental health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gümüşhane UniversıtyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study investigated the psychological effects of a six-week, non-competitive wrestling training program in sedentary adolescent boys. Thirty participants were assigned to either a wrestling group or a control group. Psychological well-being (WHO-5), sport anxiety (SAS-2), and resilience (BPRS) were measured before and after the intervention.
The wrestling group showed significant improvements in well-being and psychological resilience, along with marked reductions in total sport anxiety and its subcomponents (worry, somatic anxiety, concentration disruption). All changes demonstrated large effect sizes, while the control group exhibited no meaningful positive changes.
Overall, the findings suggest that even short-term, structured wrestling training can enhance emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, and strengthen resilience in adolescent boys. The study highlights wrestling as a promising physical activity for supporting youth mental health.
Detailed description
Detailed Description of the Study Purpose and Rationale The study explores how short-term wrestling training affects psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys. While the physical benefits of wrestling are well known, its psychological impacts-especially in non-competitive, beginner contexts-have been insufficiently studied. Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by heightened emotional sensitivity and vulnerability to stress and anxiety. Given the known mental health benefits of structured physical activity, the authors aimed to determine whether wrestling could serve as a mental health-supportive intervention for youth.
Study Design and Participants
The research employed a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design involving 30 sedentary male adolescents aged 12-15 years. Participants were divided into:
Wrestling Group (n = 15) Control Group (n = 15) Inclusion criteria ensured no prior experience with wrestling or other combat sports and minimal physical activity in the preceding six months. The study was ethically approved and conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki.
Intervention The wrestling group completed a six-week structured wrestling program with sessions three times per week, each lasting 60 minutes. The program progressed through foundational stances, entries, defensive techniques, agility, strength drills, and integrated combined training sessions. Warm-ups, dynamic stretching, and wrestling-specific drills formed each session's core. All sessions were supervised by certified coaches, with 100% adherence and no injuries.
The control group maintained their daily routines without added exercise.
Measurements
Three validated psychological scales were used:
WHO-5 Well-Being Index Measures positive mood and general well-being.
Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)
Includes subscales for:
Worry Somatic Anxiety Concentration Disruption Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS) Evaluates ability to recover from stress. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention under standardized laboratory conditions.
Statistical Analysis Data normality was examined with the Shapiro-Wilk test. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA evaluated group × time interactions, with Bonferroni post-hoc tests where necessary. Partial eta squared (ηp²) quantified effect sizes, interpreted based on established benchmarks.
Key Findings
- Psychological Well-Being The wrestling group showed a significant increase in WHO-5 well-being scores. The control group showed no significant change. The effect size was large (ηp² = 0.717).
- Sport Anxiety Overall sport anxiety and all its subcomponents exhibited significant changes: Worry Wrestling group: significant decrease Control group: significant increase Somatic Anxiety Significant decreases in both groups, though greater in the wrestling group. Concentration Disruption Wrestling group: significant decrease Control group: significant increase Total Sport Anxiety Wrestling group: strong reduction Control group: strong increase Effect size extremely large (ηp² = 0.938)
- Psychological Resilience Wrestling group: significant improvement Control group: no change Effect size: ηp² = 0.519 Interpretation of Results
The data indicate that structured, non-competitive wrestling training:
Enhances emotional well-being Reduces both cognitive and physical symptoms of anxiety Supports the development of resilience and stress recovery abilities Helps maintain concentration and reduce performance-related worry These findings align with prior research showing psychological benefits of combat sports, such as improved self-control, emotional regulation, and coping strategies.
The simultaneous increase in anxiety in the control group suggests that adolescence alone may contribute to rising stress levels-highlighting the protective role of physical activity.
Practical Implications
The study provides evidence that wrestling, even at a beginner level, can serve as:
A preventive mental health intervention A structured environment that promotes emotional stability A method to build psychological resilience in adolescent boys A supportive physical activity option for school and community programs The influence appears beneficial even within six weeks, without competitive pressures.
Limitations Small sample size (n = 30) Only male adolescents Conducted within a single cultural context Short intervention duration No long-term follow-up Future studies should investigate long-term effects, gender differences, hormonal or neurophysiological mechanisms (e.g., cortisol, HRV), and comparisons with other sports.
Conclusion The study demonstrates that a six-week wrestling training program significantly improves psychological well-being and resilience while reducing sport-related anxiety in adolescent boys. These findings support the potential of wrestling as a valuable tool for promoting youth mental health in structured, safe, non-competitive environments.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Model Description The statistical framework of the study was based on a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) designed to evaluate the effects of the wrestling intervention over time while accounting for within-subject and between-group variability. Model Structure The analytic model included: Within-subject factor: Time (2 levels: Pre-test, Post-test) Between-subject factor: Group (2 levels: Wrestling Group, Control Group) This produced a 2 × 2 mixed-model design, allowing the evaluation of: Main effect of Time Indicates whether psychological variables changed across the entire sample from pre- to post-test. Main effect of Group Tests whether the groups differed overall, independent of time. Group × Time interaction The primary parameter of interest, indicating whether the pattern of change over time differed between groups. Model Assumptions The repeated-measures ANOVA relied on the following assumptions: Normality:Shapiro-Wilk test. Homogeneity of Variance; Spherici
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| wrestling training Group | Experimental | Other: Wrestling Group, Device: ControlBoth groups underwent baseline assessments before the intervention and post-tests after six weeks. The Wrestling Group participated in a structured wrestling training program, while the Control Group maintained their usual daily routines without additional exercise. |
| CONTROL | No intervention | –Control |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 15 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Male adolescents aged 12-15 years
- Sedentary lifestyle, defined as engaging in less than 60 minutes of regular physical training per week during the previous six months
- No prior experience in wrestling or any other organized combat sports
- Healthy with no known medical conditions that could interfere with participation
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Respiratory disease (chronic or acute)
- Musculoskeletal injuries that could impede training participation
- Chronic illnesses requiring ongoing medical treatment
- Diagnosed psychological disorders that could affect their ability to safely engage in physical activity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Wrestling GroupBoth groups underwent baseline assessments before the intervention and post-tests after six weeks. The Wrestling Group participated in a structured wrestling training program, while the Control Group maintained their usual daily routines without additional exercise. | Other | wrestling training Group |
| ControlNo intervention | Device | wrestling training Group |
Primary outcome
WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Time frame: 6 week
The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief global measure of current psychological well-being. It consists of five positively phrased items that reflect mood, vitality, and general life satisfaction.
Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)
Time frame: 6 week
The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) was used to assess multidimensional components of sport-related anxiety. The scale includes 15 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = not at all, 4 = very much).
2 secondary outcomes
Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS)
Time frame: 6 week
Body composition measurement
Time frame: 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Dec 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41578413Ozkan R, Yilmaz C, Uzun RN, Bayrakdaroglu S, Akar OO, Oz F, Cicekli A, Cicekli A, Dal S, Ursu VE, Citozi R, Geanta VA. Effects of wrestling training on psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys. BMC Psychol. 2026 Jan 23;14(1):239. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-03962-3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
coşkun yılmaz, associate professor principal investigator
Gümüşhane Universıty
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Wrestling Group in people with Performance Enhancement and Supportive Care, run by Gümüşhane Universıty at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
WHO-5 Well-Being Index (time frame: 6 week). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07193121, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Dec 2025.