Raquel Escobar-Molina

Effects of kumi-kata grip laterality and throwing side on attack effectiveness and combat result in elite judo athletes

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of kumi-kata grip laterality and throwing side combinations (i.e., attacking on the same side of the gripping, or vice versa) on attack effectiveness and combat result in elite male and female judo athletes. Through systematic observation, 242 combats from 12 World Ranking tournaments were analysed. Results from logistic regression showed that attacking on the same side of the kumi-kata increase the chance of scoring (χ2 (4) = 10.688, P = 0.030; OR = 1.65, P = 0.009) and winning the combat (χ2 (4) = 11.181, P = 0.025; OR = 1.35, P = 0.018), independently of sex and weight category. Perform same-side attacks by kenka-yotsu (adversaries using reverse grip, right versus left) was the most effective (χ2 (4) = 11.321, P = 0.023; OR = 1.84, P = 0.023), especially for lightest weight judo fighters. Perform same-side attacks by ai-yotsu (both opponents using right or left grip at the same time; χ2 (4) = 9.630, P = 0.047; OR = 2.02; P = 0.009) and only one athlete gripping (only the athlete attacking performing the grip; χ2 (4) = 9.512, P = 0.050; OR = 3.08; P = 0.035) increased the likelihood of winning the combat. This information should be considered for coaches to plan combat strategies and design training situations close to the real competition.

The impact of penalties on subsequent attack effectiveness and combat outcome among high elite judo competitors

The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of incurring a penalty (shido) on subsequent attack effectiveness and combat result among judo competitors. The sample contained 1462 throw attempts and 293 shido from 242 fights that counted toward the IJF 2013 World Ranking List, including both genders and all weight categories. Variables pertaining to attack effectiveness, combat result and combat minute were included in analyses. Data were collected through systematic observation. Two-way ANOVA and post-hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction were used to identify the effects of gender and weight category on the number of shido given per fight A series of multilevel binomial regression analyses were conducted to predict the influence of being penalised on subsequent attack effectiveness and combat result. Main findings revealed that receiving a shido was associated with match outcome, increasing the likelihood of being defeated (OR = 3.18; P < 0.01), particularly in heavier weight categories (OR = 1.22; P < 0.01). Furthermore, the probability of being penalised increased with greater time in the match (OR = 2.41; P < 0.01). Finally, winners were more effective in attacking after receiving a shido compared to combatants who ultimately lost the match (OR = 6.51; P < 0.01). Thus, developing training tasks to enhance athletes’ combativeness appears essential to avoid being penalised during the fight. Additionally, effectively dealing with being penalised is an important aspect in modern judo. The reported data may constitute a useful guide in the development of competition-specific training tasks to enhance athletes’ adaptation and responses during the fight, improving performance.

Weight loss and psychological-related states in high-level judo athletes.

PURPOSE This study aimed at comparing weight loss methods (WLM) performed near competition by elite judo athletes from different age and gender groups and relating WLM with the prevalence of eating disorders. METHODS 144 athletes (66 females and 78 males) from the Spanish judo teams participated in this observational descriptive study grouped into cadets, juniors, and seniors. Data were collected during previous training meetings to international tournaments. The used tools are a basic data questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T), Restraint Scale (RS), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT- 40). Two-way ANOVAs and chi-square tests were used to compare groups. RESULTS Seniors presented higher use of WLM, especially one week before competition compared with juniors. Judoists were more involved in their diets and reduced more weight as they were older. Females were more concerned about their diets, presented higher anxiety, scored higher in the emotion scale, and more eating disorders symptoms, although weight loss was lower. Anxiety and eating disorders symptoms differences were more common in juniors and cadets, respectively, with higher scores in females. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Seniors seem to develop more effective strategies to cope with weight loss. Cadet and junior females are more likely to suffer from the psychological-related states associated to weight loss. IMPLICATIONS (1) Educational programs might help competitors and coaches to adopt and promote healthier weight loss processes, (2) special attention should be paid to female young judoists to detect eating disorders in its early stages, and (3) judo organizations should consider implementing new rules to sanction harmful weight loss practices.

Comparison of special judo fitness test and dynamic and isometric judo chin-up tests’ performance and classificatory tables’ development for cadet and junior athletes

The aims of this work were to compare the performances of male and female cadet and junior judo athletes and to develop classificatory tables to these judo-specific tests for international-level from these ages. Data collected during training camps of male and female cadet and junior judo teams from three nations (Brazil, Serbia, and Spain) were analyzed, totalizing 252 individual results of special judo fitness test (SJFT), and 222 and 208 of dynamic and isometric judogi chin-up tests, respectively. Juniors performed better than cadets in the SJFT, with higher number of throws in A, B, C, and total (P<0.001 for all comparisons), lower final heart rate (P=0.021), and lower index (P<0.001), as well as higher relative performance in the dynamic chin-up test (P<0.001). Furthermore, male athletes presented better performance compared to female athletes in the SJFT (higher number of throws in A, B and total, and lower index) and in the isometric and dynamic chin-up tests (higher absolute and relative performances) (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Considering these differences, tables were established by sex and age groups, using percentile values. Thereby, each of the parameters of the SJFT (number of throws, heart rate after and 1 min after the test, and SJFT index), as well as absolute and relative results in chin-up judogi tests, were classified by sex and age. These classificatory tables can be useful for judo coaches to monitor specific physical performance during different phases of periodization process.

Special Judo Fitness Test Level and Anthropometric Profile of Elite Spanish Judo Athletes

Abstract Casals, C, Huertas, JR, Franchini, E, Sterkowicz-Przybycień, K, Sterkowicz, S, Gutiérrez-García, C, and Escobar-Molina, R. Special judo fitness test level and anthropometric profile of elite spanish judo athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1229–1235, 2017—The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric variables that best predict Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) performance. In addition, anthropometric profiles of elite Spanish judo athletes were compared by sex and age category (seniors and juniors). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 51 (29 females) athletes from the Spanish National Judo Team were evaluated during a competitive period. All athletes performed the SJFT and underwent an anthropometric assessment through skinfold thickness measurements. Mann-Whitney comparisons by sex and age category showed that males had significantly higher muscle mass and lower fat mass than females (p < 0.001), whereas juniors and seniors exhibited few differences in body composition. Linear regression analyses (stepwise method) were performed to explore the relationships between anthropometric characteristics and SJFT variables. Model 1 included sex, age category, and body mass as predictors. Body mass and sex significantly predicted the SJFT index (R 2 = 0.27, p < 0.001); thus, both criteria should be considered before interpreting the test. The predictors of model 2 were quick-assessment variables, including skinfolds, breadths, girths, and height. This regression model showed that the biceps skinfold significantly predicted the SJFT index in elite athletes (R 2 = 0.31, p < 0.001). Model 3 included body compositions and somatotypes as predictors. Higher muscle and bone masses and lower ectomorphy were associated with better SJFT performance (R 2 = 0.44, p < 0.001). Hence, training programs should attempt to increase the muscle mass percentage and reduce the upper arm fat, whereas the bone percentage could be considered in the selection of talented athletes in conjunction with other factors.