Research Information System
Research in Sport Education and Sciences, vol.27, no.3, pp.208-216, 2025 (Scopus)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Sandbag Throw Conditioning Test (STCT) in distinguishing between elite and sub-elite wrestlers. This test has been developed to assess performance levels specific to the sport of wrestling. A total of 30 male wrestlers voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: elite and sub-elite. The STCT protocol was applied to both groups, and performance results were recorded. An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine if there were significant differences between the groups. Additionally, discriminant function analysis was performed to assess the extent to which the STCT correctly classified the groups. Statistical analyses were carried out using R software, and a significance level of p<.05 was considered. The p-values obtained for all rounds and the total score ranged between 0.005 and 0.013, indicating statistically significant differences between elite and sub-elite wrestlers. The analyses demonstrate that the STCT was able to successfully differentiate between the groups and that the test effectively reflects the performance levels of wrestlers. Additionally, the discriminant function analysis revealed that 70% of the participants were correctly classified. Considering that the probability of distinguishing between groups by random guessing is 50%, the STCT does not appear to be a highly successful test for differentiating between elite and sub-elite wrestlers. This suggests that the test may not fully capture the complex, sport-specific dynamics of wrestling performance, and highlights the need for more specialized, dynamic tests that better reflect the nuances of the sport.