A study assessed the relationship of weight reduction to the strength of various muscle groups in conjunction with a pre-season and in-season training and conditioning program. Twenty-nine high school wrestlers, with an average age of 16 years 4 months, significantly reduced their body weight. In the process, there were losses in lean body weight. At the end of the 13-week season, there were significant losses in body strength, especially in the larger muscle groups of the legs. The fact that these decrements in strength occurred while maintaining a weight training and vigorous exercise routine is particularly significant and has serious implications concerning the training program of the high school wrestler. It may be more advantageous not to reduce body weight, but rather maintain body weight (unless one is obviously overweight) and increase muscular strength. (JD)