Specificity of performance adaptations to a periodized judo training program

Abstract

ObjectiveJudo is a combat sport characterized by high-intensity intermittent efforts. To suit high competitive demand, the training periodization should be adopted to improve judo athletes performance. Thus, the objective of the present study was to monitor the changes in different variables during judo training periodization. MethodTen male adult judo athletes were evaluated 18 weeks apart, in the beginning of preparatory period and one week before the main competition of the competitive period. During this observational study, the variables considered were: body composition, upper and lower-body anaerobic power and capacity, lower-body muscle power, upper and lower-body aerobic power, maximal and strength endurance, and judo specific performance. Paired Student's t test was used to compare variables across periods. ResultsIn the end of this period, athletes presented a significant increase in upper-body anaerobic power (pre=535±74W; post=617±81W; 15%) and capacity (pre=344±29W; post=402±38W; 17%), lower-body anaerobic power (pre=778±77W; post=882±130W; 13%), isometric (pre=31±17s; post=43±15s; 39%) and dynamic grip strength endurance (pre=7±5 rep; post=11±5 rep; 57%), upper-body aerobic power (pre=113±25W; post=122±29W; 8%), and row 1RM (pre=85±23kg; post=92±26kg; 8%). The body composition, judo specific performance, handgrip strength, bench-press 1RM, row and bench-press number of repetitions at 70% 1RM, and lower-body muscle power were maintained. Athletes presented a decrease in lower-body aerobic power (pre=235±62W; post=209±43W; 11%). ConclusionThe results of the present study indicated that the changes during a periodized judo program were specific to the match demand, although not all variables improved across this period.