Physiological profiles of the Canadian National Judo Team

Abstract

The physiology of Canadian National Judo Team members is described. These athletes differed widely in body size (height 157.4-187.7 cm; mass 56.5-100.8 kg). Aerobic fitness (treadmill) was high (VO2max = 4.49 I.min-1; 59.2 mL.kg-I.min-I), but relative VO2max decreased with increasing body mass. Elite judoka of other nations (Australia, 53.2; Poland, 59.0; Norway, 58.5) had comparable aerobic fitness. Significant (p less than 0.05) correlations between upper- (arm cranking, PWC170) versus lower-body aerobic fitness (r = 0.48), and upper- versus lower-body anaerobic power (r = 0.89) and capacity (r = 0.88) (Wingate) were observed. Peak power output (AnPP = 9.3 W.kg-I) and anaerobic capacity (AnCap = 260 J.kg-I) during arm cranking averaged 80% of leg-cranking values (AnPP = 13.7 W.kg-I; AnCap = 320 J.kg-I). Upper-body strength (bench press, one repetition, maximum = 100 kg) was also associated with upper-body anaerobic power (r = 0.72). Judoka exhibit a high degree of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, and a pattern of total body fitness that is specifically required for their sport.