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

Abstract

The aims of this work were to compare the performances of male and female cadet and junior judo athletes and to develop classificatory ta-bles to these judo-specific tests for international-level from these ages. Data collected during training camps of male and female cadet and ju-nior judo teams from three nations (Brazil, Serbia, and Spain) were ana-lyzed, totalizing 252 individual results of special judo fitness test (SJFT), and 222 and 208 of dynamic and isometric judogi chin-up tests, respec-tively. 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). Fur-thermore, male athletes presented better performance compared to fe-male 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.