Physiological Profile of Young Elite Judo Athletes

Background: Judo is a dynamic, high intensity intermittent sport that requires complex skills applied with high accuracy, strength, velocity and power. The purpose of the current investigation was to assess the motor and physical abilities of young elite judo athletes from the Tokyo 2020 Israeli national project.

Methods: The sample of subjects consisted of eight young male judo athletes (mean age 18.8+0.5yrs) who performed a battery of motor and physical tests reflecting judo`s abilities. The array of tests included anthropometric measures, VO<sub>2max</sub> test performed on a treadmill (VO<sub>2max</sub>), and upper body VO<sub>2max</sub> test performed on an arm ergometer (aVO2max). Power was evaluated using the Optojump system, and included: squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump with no arms (CMJ), countermovement jump with arms (aCMJ), and stiffness test (ST). Percentage of gain from stretch (%STR) and contribution of arms to the jumps` performance (%ARM) were calculated, as well as a reactivity rate from the stiffness test results.

Results: Mean VO_2max was 63.3+6.4 ml/kg/min and mean aVO_2max was 43.1+5.9 ml/kg/min. Mean SJ was 33.8+3.54cm, mean CMJ was 36.24+2.85cm, and mean CMJ was 41.23+4.43cm. The %STR was 7% and %ARM was 12%. The stiffness test results revealed an average reactivity score of 136.37+25.98.

Conclusions: The athletes tested demonstrated high aerobic capacity compared to international judokas` norms; however, the majority of them demonstrated an average dynamic and reactive power as reflected in the different jump results. This information will help coaches design a personalized conditioning program and track changes in these abilities over time.