Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a newly developed training program for freestyle wrestling athletes. The quantitative research was conducted with 48 student athletes of freestyle wrestling. The training program was divided into two main components: 1) Physical fitness training, tailored to address the specific needs of athletes across seven weight categories: 55 kg (121.25 lbs), 60 kg (132.25 lbs), 66 kg (145.5 lbs), 74 kg (163 lbs), 84 kg (185 lbs), 96 kg (211.5 lbs), and 120 kg (264.5 lbs). 2) Cognitive skills training, focused on enhancing motivation and self-confidence. The program was implemented over a three-month period, with performance measurements taken at two points: before (pre-training) and after (post-training) the intervention. The second phase of the program emphasized cognitive development, specifically targeting motivation and self-confidence. The results showed that there is a positive correlation between athletes’ physical abilities, techniques, endurance, stamina, motivation, and self-confidence with their overall performance (p<0.05). Furthermore, a significant improvement was observed in athlete performance following the completion of the training program (p<0.05). In conclusion, both physical fitness and cognitive skills are critical for improving the performance of freestyle wrestling athletes.