Both Unopposed and Opposed Judo Tasks are Suitable for Analyzing Changes in Lateral Preference

[Abstract] Judo coaches aim to develop left-handed techniques in righthanded judoka due to a potential frequency-dependent strategic advantage during competition. Thus, easily completed tasks are needed to track the progression of the lateral preference index (percentage as right-handed actions). Thirty naïve volunteers performed two tasks, an unopposed repetition-based dynamic task (yakusoku geiko) and an opposed-bouts task (randori), before and after eight-week training protocols differing in the executing side. Training protocols consisted of a control group (without any instruction regarding the practice side), a bilateral group (practicing with both dominant and nondominant sides), and a nondominant group (practicing exclusively on the nondominant side). ANOVA-type tests were used for analyzing the suitability of the unopposed repetition-based dynamic task for detecting changes in the lateral preference index and for analyzing the concordance between tasks. Additionally, concordance was tested with Spearman's rank correlations and Bland-Altman plots. Lower lateral preference indices (i.e., reductions of executions as righthander) were observed after training in the nondominant group and in comparison with the control group and bilateral group on the posttest (p 0.05) with significant correlations (p < .05) and low bias during the pretest (ρ = 0.563; bias: 4.29, 95% LoA: -36.32-27.74%) and the posttest (ρ = 0.718, bias: 0.69, 95% LoA: -39.37-40.77%). In conclusion, an unopposed repetition-based dynamic task detected reductions in lateral preference index after an eight-week nondominant training period. These results agreed with those observed with the opposedbouts task. This indicates the eligibility of yakusoku geiko for coaching delivery due to general suitability of the unopposed repetition-based dynamic task to track the maintenance or progression of left-handedness in judo trainees

Analysis of successful behaviors leading to groundwork scoring skills in elite Judo athletes

[Abstract]: The present study aimed (1) to propose an approach of observational analysis of the preceding standing judo (tachi-waza (TW)) context to a groundwork (ne-waza (NW)) grappling score (NWGS), and (2) to analyze the outcomes of applying such a model in high-level judoists. We conducted an observational analysis of 176 NW scoring actions of 794 combats observed in Baku’s World Judo Championships of 2018. Women scored more NWGS, performing more corporal controls but less segmental controls compared with the men. Moreover, NWGS were scored predominately during the second and third minutes of combat, independently of the sex or the weight category. Most NWGS occurred after an asymmetrical lateral structure, without showing associations with a particular type of NWGS. The movement structure of the attacking action during TW leading to an NWGS was predominantly techniques without turn, followed closely by techniques with turn, and barely performed after supine position techniques. Data showed that NWGS occurred more frequently after a failed TW attack (68.6%) than after a scored TW attack (31.4%). The TW attacker achieved NWGS with a higher frequency (62%) than the TW defender (38%), who mainly took advantage of a failed TW attack (98.5% vs. 1.5%, after failed vs. scored TW, respectively). The grip configurations most frequently employed during TW were dorsal-sleeve and flap-sleeve; overall, frontal grips were predominant over dorsal grips. However, no specific TW grip was related to success or grip progression before an NWGS. Our results will help judo coaches understand the influence of these factors on judo performance and optimize the planning and execution of technical–tactical content

Anàlisi de les adaptacions agudes a l'entrenament de força màxima mitjançant l'estudi de les modificacions del rendiment mecànic del tren superior

El propòsit del nostre treball va ser valorar l’efecte agut de dues sessions de força màxima sobre el rendiment mecànic immediatament posterior. En 10 subjectes barons es van obtenir les càrregues corresponents a una repetició màxima (1RM) i a la màxima potència en l’execució concèntrica d’aixecament de banca. Cinc dies més tard es van realitzar dues sessions d’entrenament. En cadascuna s’hi van portar a terme 6 sèries de 2 repeticions d’aixecament de  banca concèntric, al 90 % d’1RM, amb pauses mínimes de 3’. Abans i immediatament després de cada sessió es va mesurar la potència desenvolupada, tant amb la càrrega de màxima potència com amb el 90 % d’1RM. L’anàlisi dels resultats no va reflectir diferències significatives en el rendiment amb càrregues de màxima potència. Amb el 90 % va disminuir de forma significativa (p &lt; 0,05) al final de la segona sessió. No es va trobar correlació significativa entre 1RM i les diferències entre els valors finals i inicials amb les càrregues de màxima potència individual. La correlació va ser significativa entre 1RM i les diferències entre la potència final i inicial al 90 % d’1RM en la primera sessió, tant en valors reals com percentuals (r = –0,631 i r = –0,678 respectivament)

Análisis de las adaptaciones agudas al entrenamiento de fuerza máxima mediante el estudio de las modificaciones del rendimiento mecánico del tren superior

El propósito del presente trabajo fue valorar el efecto agudo de dos sesiones de fuerza máxima sobre el rendimiento mecánico inmediatamente posterior. En 10 sujetos varones se obtuvieron las cargas correspondientes a una repetición máxima (1RM) y a la máxima potencia en la ejecución concéntrica de press banca. Cinco días más tarde se realizaron dos sesiones de entrenamiento. En cada una se llevaron a cabo 6 series de 2 repeticiones de press banca concéntrico, al 90 % de 1RM, con pausas mínimas de 3'. Antes e inmediatamente después de cada sesión se midió la potencia desarrollada, tanto con la carga de máxima potencia como con el 90 % de 1RM. El análisis de los resultados no reflejó diferencias significativas en el rendimiento con cargas de máxima potencia. Con el 90 % disminuyó de forma significativa (p &lt; 0,05) al final de la segunda sesión. No se halló correlación significativa entre 1RM y las diferencias entre los valores finales e iniciales con las cargas de máxima potencia individual. La correlación fue significativa entre 1RM y las diferencias entre la potencia final e inicial al 90 % de 1RM en la primera sesión, tanto en valores reales como porcentuales (r = –0,631 y r = –0,678 respectivamente)

Are internal focuses really useful? A replication study in Basketball

To evaluate the external vs. internal focus during free basketball shots in non-basketball players. For this analysis 49 subjects participated in one baseline and one experimental session. During the baseline session all the participants performed 20 free basketball shots without instructions (Non-Instructions). During the experimental session participants were randomly allocated to one group: Dominant-Group, which performed the free basketball shots with the dominant hand; or a Non-dominant Group, which performed the shots with the non-dominant hand. Both groups performed 20 throws under internal and external focus of attention conditions. In the Dominant-Group internal focus of attention resulted in a higher number of successful shots compared with the external focus condition. Our study does not support previous findings and shows that external focus of attention impairs the performance of free basketball shots with the dominant hand in comparison with internal focus and ¨no instructions¨ conditions, in non-basketball players

Active vs. Passive Recovery During an Aerobic Interval Training Session in Well-Trained Runners

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Purpose To compare cardio-metabolic, perceptual and neuromuscular responses to an aerobic interval training (AIT) running session, with active (AR) vs. passive recovery (PR). Methods Eleven well-trained male distance runners (36.63±6.93 years, 59.26±5.27 mL·kg−1·min−1, ⁓ 35 min in 10 km) completed the University of Montréal Track Test (UMTT) and 2 AIT sessions on track in random order, which consisted of 4×2 min at 100% of the maximum aerobic speed (MAS), with 2 min of AR at 80% of the velocity associated to the second ventilatory threshold (vVT2), or no exercise (i.e., PR). During sessions, oxygen consumption (V̇O2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate [La], rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and countermovement jump (CMJ) were continuously monitored. Results There were no diferences in time spent in the “red zone” (i.e.>90% V̇O2max) between sessions (222±73 s AR vs. 230±104 s PR, p=0.588), although the PR exhibited a greater time spent at peak V̇O2 close to signifcance (117±114 vs. 158±109 s, p=0.056). However, the AR elicited a higher mean V̇O2 (49.62±5.91 vs. 47.46±4.20 mL·kg−1·min−1, p=0.021). The AR favored a lower [La] after sessions (6.93±2.22 vs. 6.24±1.93 mmol·L−1, p=0.016) and a higher RPE during sessions (15±0.45 vs. 14±0.47, p=0.045). Meanwhile, the CMJ was signifcantly potentiated during both sessions. Conclusion Considering that PR elicited lower perceptual loading for a similar cardiorespiratory response, its use would be preferable, at least, for this type of AIT running sessions

Training load but not fatigue affects cross-education of maximal voluntary force

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of training load (25% vs. 75% of one repetition maximum [1RM]) and fatigue (failure vs. non-failure) during four weeks of unilateral knee extension resistance training (RT) on maximal voluntary force in the trained and the untrained knee extensors. Healthy young adults (n = 42) were randomly assigned to control (CON, n = 9, 24 +/- 4.3 years), low-load RT to failure (LLF, n = 11, 21 +/- 1.3 years, three sets to failure at 25% of 1RM), high-load RT to failure (HLF, n = 11, 21 +/- 1.4 years, three sets to failure at 75% of 1RM), and high-load RT without failure (HLNF, n = 11, 22 +/- 1.5 years, six sets of five repetitions at 75% of 1RM) groups. Before and after the four weeks of training, 1RM, maximal voluntary isometric force, and corticospinal excitability (CSE) were measured. 1RM in the trained (20%, d = 0.70, 15%, d = 0.61) and the untrained knee extensors (5%, d = 0.27, 6%, d = 0.26) increased only in the HLF and HLNF groups, respectively. MVIC force increased only in the trained leg of the HLF (5%, d = 0.35) and HLNF groups (12%, d = 0.67). CSE decreased in the VL of both legs in the HLNF group (-19%, d = 0.44) and no changes occurred in the RF. In conclusion, high- but not low-load RT improves maximal voluntary force in the trained and the untrained knee extensors and fatigue did not further enhance these adaptations. Voluntary force improvements were unrelated to CSE changes in both legs

When and How a Judo Contest Ends: Analysis of Scores, Penalties, Rounds and Temporal Units in 2018, 2019 and 2021 World Championships

© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/The main aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between how contests end (scores or penalties), the temporal units and the competition rounds regarding when the contest end in the 2018, 2019 and 2021 Judo World Championships. A total of 2340 contests involving 2244 elite judo athletes (1343 men and 901 women) were analysed. Pearson’s chi-squared (χ2) was implemented to analyse the association between variables, and the standardised residuals were used to analyse its interpretation; the strength of the associations was reported as Cramer’s V. Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov were implemented to test the normality of the length of golden score (GS) sequences, and Kruskal–Wallis was applied for analysing GS sequences by championships. Mann–Whitney U was also implemented if a significant effect was detected. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The results were as follows: (1) Most contests ended before the accomplishment of the regular time (BRT), and they were won by ippon. (2) During BRT, the defeated accumulated more shido than the winner, while the opposite happened in contests finishing at the regular time (FRT). (3) Contests ending in the first and third minutes decreased, while contests ending in the second and fourth minutes increased; a longer length of the GS period was observed for women compared with men. (4) BRT contests were overrepresented in rounds 1 and 2, while extended time contests (EXT) in repechage, semi-final, bronze and final were overrepresented. (5) There were fewer waza-ari than expected during the preliminary rounds and more in the final rounds. The current study reveals cornerstone information that could be used to improve the training programs of elite judo athletes.Peer reviewe