Abstract
The physical qualities that underpin successful junior judokas requires continuing investigation. We investigated the physical and physiological characteristics of junior national level judokas. We tested 25 (15 male, 10 female) Indian judokas for absolute and relative strength (back-squat and bench-press one-repetition maximum (1RM) as well as isometric handgrip), aerobic (RAMP test) and lower-body anaerobic power (Wingate 6-s sprint and countermovement jump), change-of-direction (5-0-5 test) and speed (30 m sprint). Athletes were grouped according to national-level competition placing (gold-medal winners (GM; n = 8), all medal winners (MW; n = 13), non-medallists (NM; n = 12), and NM plus silver and bronze; all others (AO; n = 17)). Stepwise discriminant function analysis determined characteristics likely to predict successful performance. Independent t-tests and effect size (Hedge’s g) analyses were performed between groups. GM demonstrated greater lower-body absolute (20.0%; g = 0.87, p = 0.046) and relative 1RM strength (21.0%; g = 0.87, p = 0.047), and greater lower-body absolute (25.4%; g=1.32, p=0.004) and relative (27.3%; g = 1.27, p = 0.005) anaerobic power compared to AO. Furthermore, anaerobic power can correctly predict 76.5% and 62.5% of AO and GM athletes, respectively. No differences were observed between MW and NM groups. The results suggest the importance of lower-body strength and power for junior national-level judokas and provides information for professionals working with these athletes.
Highlights
Sport is often characterised by highly competitive and closely fought competition, with small margins often differentiating successful and non-successful performance outcomes [1,2]
We have demonstrated that certain physical and physiological qualities may contribute to and/or differentiate gold-medal winning junior national-level judokas from others
Gold-medal winners displayed significantly greater lower-body maximal strength and peak anaerobic power compared to silver and bronze medalists, and non-medallists
Summary
Sport is often characterised by highly competitive and closely fought competition, with small margins often differentiating successful and non-successful performance outcomes [1,2]. At elite and sub-elite (e.g., national) levels of competition, optimal physical preparation can be a key determinant of sporting success. Early research has studied these factors in elite adults [3,4,5,6,7]. Over the past decade participation in combat sports, including judo, has grown considerably, resulting in increased junior participation and professionalism of competitions. This has advanced the need for further scientific investigation into the specific physiological and performance requirements of junior national-level judokas. The requirements of elite junior judokas may differ to adult counterparts and other combat sports
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