The Board of Directors of USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States, passed a resolution outlining its policy on weight management. 
 The resolution was approved during its semi-annual meeting, which was held at the Doubletree Hotel in New Orleans, La., Saturday, Feb. 7. The resolution was presented by USA Wrestling's Sport Science Committee. 
 The resolution includes a prohibition of the use of saunas, steam rooms, hot boxes, vapor barrier clothing, laxatives and diuretics. 
 In addition, the resolution addresses increased education of athletes and coaches concerning weight management issues. It also encourages the use of body composition assessment programs. The resolution addresses weigh-in and event procedures, and calls for an effort to encourage similar guidelines in international competitions. 
 "The Board of Directors of USA Wrestling wants to take a leadership role in providing the safest conditions possible for our athletes," said Larry Sciacchetano, USA Wrestling president. "Taking a stand against rapid dehydration and the use of artificial means to lose weight is a positive change for the sport. The next step is to educate our entire organization, including the coaches and athletes, about these changes." 
 The issue of weight management in wrestling became a major public issue after the death of three college wrestlers in November and December of 1997.  
 As the national governing body, USA Wrestling is responsible for the development of amateur wrestling in the United States. USA Wrestling is an Olympic/Pan American Sport Organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee and a member of FILA, the international wrestling federation. 
 USA Wrestling selects and trains U.S. teams for international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. USA Wrestling sanctions competitions and programs for men and women of all ages, from youth programs through the Senior level. 
 This policy will be used by the organization to develop specific rules and event procedures for USA Wrestling activities in the 1998 season and beyond. 
 In addition to this action, USA Wrestling will continue its leadership role in the Joint Committee to Address Weight Management in Wrestling. USA Wrestling formed this group in December 1997, which includes seven major national organizations that sponsor wrestling competitions. 
  RESOLUTION 
 presented by the USA Wrestling Sport Science Committee and approved by the USA Wrestling Board of Directors 
  Whereas rapid weight reduction "cutting weight" through calorie restriction, dehydration, and excessive exercise in heated environments exposes wrestlers to decreased performance, heat related trauma, and hazard to health and life.  
 Be it resolved that USA Wrestling supports action that will: 
 1. Provide education of coaches and athletes as to the adverse effects of the behaviors involved in rapid weight reduction and its regain, 
 2. Provide education for coaches and athletes as to the need for proper caloric intake, nutrition, hydration, weight control and training for optimum, safe performance, 
 3. Prohibit the use of saunas, steam rooms, hot boxes, vapor barrier clothing, laxatives, and diuretics by wrestlers for making weight (regardless of the intended purpose), 
 4. Provide for assessment of body composition well in advance of the competitive season to set reasonable minimal limits and gradual progression for "fat loss" to achieve optimal competitive body composition and weight, 
 5. Encourage the scheduling of weigh-ins immediately prior to the competitive match, 
 6. Design competition formats that eliminate the encouragement of "cutting weight," 
 7. Encourage FILA (Federation of International Amateur Wrestling) to adopt similar guidelines for optimal, safe performance, and the elimination of "weight cutting" practices.