Rapid Weight Loss in Congolese Judo: Energy Profile, Performance and Haematological Effects

Moulongo Jean Georges André,Massala Kitanga Fêtra Nella,Moulongo Ngwallat Jésus Amour Précieux,Ata Asiokarah Nel Francis,Packa Tchissambou Bernard,Bueso Nzambi Ghislain Allure,Moussouami Simplice Innocent,Moussoki Jean Martin,Massamba Alphonse,Diagne Ossey Marius

doi:10.4236/ape.2021.111002

Abstract

While the deleterious effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) on the health in combat sports athletes are well known, the issue of exertion energy expenditure and motor performance remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of RWL on energy cost and judo performance, and associated haematological characteristics. Among 21 top Congolese judoists who took part in an intensive judo program lasting 5 1/2 days (or 11 sessions), 16 of them rapidly lost 4% to 5.5% of body mass; corollarly with a reclassification in one of the 3 weight categories: -60 kg (n = 7), -80 kg (n = 5) and -100 kg (n = 4). During sessions 1 and 11, the energy cost during the different training sequences was evaluated from the heart rate (HR). During the program, a judo performance test evaluated 2 performance indicators: the number of uchi-komi achieved and the height of uke’s center of gravity during a throw. Basal blood parameters were determined before RWL and at S1, S11 (after the judo combat series). The results show a significant increase in heart rate from session S1 to session S11, in the different training sequences. HR after fights was around 98% of HRmax. In addition, a significant decrease in number of uchi-komi was observed on each of the bearings 4 to 6 and throughout the performance test, and in height of uke’s center of gravity during fall movements. While most of the basal blood parameters remained unaltered during the program, red blood cell was reduced significantly and a significant plasma volume changes increase was found. The modification of each of the variables measured thus reflects the negative effect of the rapid weight loss associated to the increase in energy cost in judo.

Highlights

The Olympic disciplines of combat sports account for almost 25% of the total medals disputed in the Olympic Games (Gutierrez-Garcia et al, 2010)
Any judoist was included in this work: no smoker; no having consumed alcohol in the last 24 hours before the experiment; without cardiorespiratory and haematological pathology; familiar with the practice of rapid weight loss; no having a competitive deadline close to the protocol followed for the study so as not to interfere with his athletic performance
The major findings of our study indicate that rapid weight loss (RWL) increases heart rate during fights, decreases motor performance in judo and haematological values compared to baseline values

Summary

Introduction

The Olympic disciplines of combat sports (i.e., judo, wrestling, taekwondo and boxing) account for almost 25% of the total medals disputed in the Olympic Games (Gutierrez-Garcia et al, 2010). A judo fight lasts in actual time, from the junior categories, 5 minutes for men and 4 for women This total time is made up of several combat sequences, with an average duration of 22 ± 10 s for juniors and 33 ± 30 s for seniors (Miarka et al, 2012). These assault sequences are interspersed with recovery sequences of 7 to 15 seconds because we are witnessing a succession of effort times of 20 - 40 s interspersed with pauses of 10 - 15 s (Favre-Juvin et al, 1989; Paillard, 2010) This type of profile strongly solicits anaerobic processes during intense and maximum efforts, verified by high blood lactate concentrations (Maillat & Gaillat, 1987); and, aerobic processes to last the duration of the fight and to recover efforts during periods of recovery or lower intensity (Paillard, 2010).

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