Relationship between physical fitness and match-derived performance in judo athletes according to weight category

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the relationship between physical tests and match-derived performance in official judo matches, considering the weight category. Forty-one judo athletes participated in the study (19 women and 22 men), were divided into two groups according to weight category (lightweight and heavyweight) and were evaluated in two time points—(1) physical tests: countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip strength (HGS), special judo fitness test (SJFT) and judogi grip strength test dynamic (JGSTDIN) and isometric (JGSTISO), and (2) match-derived performance during official matches. The t test and Pearson’s or Spearman’s coefficients were used with a significance level set at 5%. Heavyweight athletes (male and female) showed better performances in power output in the CMJ (CMJPPO), HGS, and number of throws in SJFT (female only) compared with lightweights, while lightweights (male and female) performed better in the JGSTDIN and JGSTISO, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between effective combat time (ECT) and CMJPPO for male lightweight athletes (r = 0.65). In the female lightweight group, the ECT was correlated with CMJ height (r = 0.75) and HGS (r = 0.65); the number of attacks was correlated with HGS (r = 0.64) and CMJPPO (r = 0.75). Considering the heavyweight female group, we verified a significant correlation between JGSTISO and efficiency (r = 0.67), as well as between effectiveness and HGS (r = 0.68). Time motion performance in lightweight athletes depends more on HGS and muscle power of the lower limbs, whereas effectiveness and efficiency depend on HGS and resistance strength of the upper limbs in heavyweight athletes.