Pedro Pinheiro Paes

Effect of 10% weight loss on simulated taekwondo match performance: a randomized trial

The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of 10% body mass reduction on simulated taekwondo match performance. Thirty-one male taekwondo athletes were randomly distributed in two groups: weight loss group (n= 15) – athletes in this group reduced 5% body mass per week during two successive weeks, totaling 10% body mass reduction; control group (n= 16) – athletes in this group kept their body mass constant during the 2-week period. Twenty-four hours before and after this period, athletes performed a simulated 3-round taekwondo match (6 min). Athletes wore body protectors to validate the scores during the match according to the official taekwondo rules. Match was filmed and actions were categorized using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument. There was a group and time interaction (P< 0.001) for body mass, with decrease only for the weight loss group (P= 0.001). A group and time interaction was also observed for the taekwondo match performance (P< 0.001), with performance increase being found only for the control group (P= 0.01). Thus, the 10% weight loss was not a good strategy to improve taekwondo skills’ performance.

Effect of body weight reduction on stress and recovery among Brazilian Judokas

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the magnitude of the symptoms of stress and the perception of psychophysiological recovery among judokas who adopted methods for body weight reduction and those who did not adopt such methods. Method: Participants included 39 judokas who were selected in a non-probabilistic way. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, namely, an experimental group (EG, n = 21) and a control group (CG, n = 21). The EG was induced to adopt an increase in the frequency of strategies directed towards body weight reduction, whereas the members of the CG followed their normal behaviour patterns. The Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes was used to evaluate the symptoms of stress. The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes was used to evaluate the perception of psychophysiological recovery. Results: The findings revealed that the magnitude of the symptoms of stress increased in the EG (F(2, 18) = 43.63, p = .01), whereas they did not increase in the CG (F(2, 17) = 3.14, p = .18). Furthermore, the post-test revealed significant differences between the two groups (F(2, 37) = 38.55, p = .01). The results demonstrated a reduction in the perception of psychophysiological recovery in the EG (F(2, 18) = 69.97, p = .001) and an increase in the CG (F(2, 18) = 47.61, p = .01), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (F(2, 37) = 116.75, p = .001). Conclusions: It was concluded that body weight reduction increased the magnitude of stress symptoms and reduced the perception of psychophysiological recovery in judokas.

Effect of rapid weight loss on physical performance in judo athletes: is rapid weight loss a help for judokas with weight problems?*

Abstract The goal of the present study was to analyse the impact of rapid weight loss methods (10%) on physical performance of judo athletes. Thirty-nine adult male judo athletes were selected to participate in the present study. Athletes were randomly allocated in two groups: experimental (EG, n = 20) and control (CG, n = 19). Twenty-four hours before the beginning of experimental approach, athletes were submitted to anthropometrical measurements and performed the Special Judo Fitness Test. The weight loss in the EG was conducted to generate a mean loss of 5% per week during 2 weeks. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was conducted to compare groups and moments. There was a group and moment interaction (p = .001) for body mass, with decrease only for the EG (Δ% = −10.6%, p = .01). There was also a group and moment for the Special Judo Fitness Test index (p = .001), with an improvement only in the CG (Δ% = −6%, p = .01). It was concluded that the rapid weight loss process was not a good strategy for judo athletes’ performance optimisation.