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The aims of this study were to compare the upper-body Wingate test performance of judo athletes from different weight categories and to create a classificatory table for this test. A total of 179 judo athletes performed an upper-body Wingate test, following standardized recommendations (30-sec duration, and a load equivalent to 0.06 kg/kg of body mass). Absolute and relative peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were determined. Weight categories were compared through a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test. The effect size was determined by partial eta squared. There was a large effect of weight category in absolute PP and MP, with lower values for the lighter categories ( P <0.05), but it is important to note that absolute PP and MP did not differ ( P >0.05) between subsequent weight categories. Moreover, when the relative PP and MP were considered, no significant differences were found ( P >0.05). The higher values of PP and MP achieved by heavier judo athletes compared to lighter ones during the upper-body Wingate test is likely related to the higher total muscle mass presented by the first group compared to the later. Indeed, judo athletes from different weight category presented similar relative PP and MP, likely due to the judo training demands as well as consequence of a selection of athletes with the higher potential to develop upper-body anaerobic fitness. Finally, the normative classificatory table created may be useful as a reference in judo athletes' anaerobic evaluation., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The aims of this study were to compare the maximal isometric handgrip strength of judo athletes from different weight categories and to create a classificatory table for this test. A total of 406 athletes had their maximal isometric handgrip strength measured, following standardized recommendations. Absolute and relative values were calculated for each hand and for the sum of both hands. Weight categories were compared through a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test. The effect size was determined by partial eta squared, and the relationship between variables was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient. There was a large effect of weight category in absolute handgrip strength for each hand and for the sum of both hands, with lower values for the lighter categories. Conversely, when the relative strength was considered higher values were found for the lighter categories ( P <0.001). Very large and significant positive correlations ( P <0.001) were found between right and left for absolute ( r =0.886) and relative ( r =0.883) handgrip values. Overall, there was an increase in absolute and a decrease in relative handgrip strength across weight categories. These differences found in grip strength in weight categories are probably linked to differences in muscle mass between them. There was a high correlation between each hand for absolute and relative values, which suggests that assessing only one hand may be enough, and therefore a faster way of evaluation. Finally, the normative classificatory table created may serve as a reference for different purposes., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Training methods for Paralympic swimmers must take into account different pathologies, competitions classes, athlete's individual circumstances and peculiar physical adaptation mechanisms, hence general guidelines cannot be found in literature. In this study we present a training program, implemented for the physical preparation of a top level Paralympic swimmer. The athlete under study, affected by infantile cerebral palsy within a clinical picture of a spastic tetraparesis, by the end of 2016 was holder of Italian, European, world and Paralympic titles in the 400-m freestyle competition, S6 class. The training macrocycle was structured in a 3-fold periodization (three mesocycles), in view of the preparation to three international competitions. The 4-month training mesocycles prior to each competition differed substantially in terms of mileage load, intensity and recovery times. The first mesocycle was characterized by a sizeable low-intensity mileage load, the second one was shifted to lower mileage load, carried out at middle-to-high intensity levels, the third one entailed increased effort intensity, counterbalanced by lower mileage load. In all cases, recovery times were balanced to obtain optimized performance through physical adaptation to training stimuli, keeping into account the physiopatological response. Tapering phases were adjusted to maximize performance at competition. As an assessment of the effectiveness of the training method, correspondence between chronometric and technical parameters in the three competitions and the respective mesocycle training programs was found. The results of the present study may support the development of training guidelines for athletes affected by upper motor neuron lesions., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

To compare the effects of 6 weeks of long or short high-intensity interval training (long- or short-HIIT) on body composition, hunger perception, food intake and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Twenty previously untrained women (25±5 years) were randomly assigned to do a long-HIIT (n=10) or a short-HIIT (n=10). The long-HIIT group performed fifteen 1-min bouts at 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), interspersed by 30-sec active recovery (60% HRmax). The short-HIIT group performed forty-five 20-sec bouts at 90% of HRmax, interspersed by 10-sec active recovery (60% HRmax). The training for both groups was conducted 3 times a week for 6 weeks. All subjects performed the Astrand cycle ergometer test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) 1 week before and after the training period, as well as body composition, which was estimated through circumferences and skinfold thicknesses. For all training sessions, the heart rate, visual scale of hunger, internal load, and RPE were recorded. In the first and last week of training, subjects were asked to record a 24-hr food diary for 3 days. Both training induced significant pre to post decreases for fat mass, fat percentage, waist circumference, sum of seven skinfolds and RPE. As expected estimated, the VO 2max increased in both groups. There were no differences for hunger perception, energy intake, and body mass. Long and short-HIIT resulted in fat loss, without altering the energy intake., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of 16 different combinations to cause the postactivation potentiation (PAP) in elite young soccer players. Squat exercise in 4 different intensities (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% one-repetition maximum [1RM]) was performed and its effects were evaluated in the performance of countermovement jump (CMJ), after 4 different recovery times (1, 3, 5, and 10 min). For this purpose, 25 young soccer players, underwent five experimental sessions. At the first session the control to determine 1RM in half-squat was carried out. The following four experimental sessions were comprised of four intensity combinations with four different recovery intervals in order to perform the CMJ test later, randomly determined and with 30-min interval between each combination. The conditions were compared using an analysis of variance with repeated measurements, followed by Bonferroni test, using 5% significance level ( P <0.05). The different intensities investigated did not provide significant increases in CMJ height, but significant differences were noted in recovery time, where, at CMJ maximum height, 1-min interval was better than after 3 min ( P <0.05), 5, and 10 min ( P <0.001). On the average jump performances, 1-min interval resulted in better results ( P <0.001) compared to other intervals. The 10-min recovery resulted in poorer performances compared to the other intervals ( P <0.001). Our results indicate that regardless the intensity used in the half-squat exercise with elite young soccer players, the 1-min recovery time was more appropriate to promote an increase in vertical jump., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The main purpose of the present study was to calculate the probability-based on a Bayesian approach-to win a medal in the Olympic Games given the athlete is seeded and to verify if the number one ranked athlete has any advantage compared to other seeded athletes concerning his/her chances to be Olympic champion. For this, data from athletes who took part in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games were considered. For males the probability of seeded athletes to win a medal was 41.1% and 42.9%, while for females it was 35.7% and 44.6% at London 2012 and Rio 2016, respectively. Furthermore, the probability of athletes ranked as number one to become Olympic champion among the seeded athletes was 19.5% and 36.8% for males and 32.3% and 36.8% for females in London 2012 and Rio 2016, respectively. Based on these results the cost-benefit of investing human and financial resources to qualify an athletes among the top eight competitors and his/her exposure to competitions-resulting in technical-tactical analysis of the opponent and higher risk of injury-should be carefully analyzed when determining the competition calendar to each athlete., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The objective of this study was to examine the internal training load (TL), IgA, and salivary steroid hormone responses in elite youth judo athletes during an entire annual training periodization. Ten male judo athletes (18±2 years, 72.3±12.3 kg, and 175±6 cm) competing at a state/national level were examined for the TL and salivary imune-endocrine responses variations over an annual judo season, divided in three macrocyles composed by distinct periods denominated preparatory period (PP), competitive period (CP) and transition period (TP). At the end of PP and CP, saliva samples were collected to determine cortisol, testosterone and IgA concentrations. Throughout PP and CP the session-rating of perceived exertion and the total duration of each session were monitored, allowing the internal TL and weekly training strain (TS) calculation. During all macrocycles, significant decreases in TL and TS were observed during CP compared with PP ( P <0.05), although no significant differences were observed for immune-endocrine concentrations between PP and CP ( P >0.05). Specific variations were observed comparing periods with similar characteristics throughout the macrocycles as higher TL and TS (PP1 to PP2 and PP3, P <0.05), increased testosterone (CP1 to CP3, P =0.024) and decreased testosterone-cortisol ratio (PP1 to PP2, P =0.005). The present findings suggest that the internal TL variations over an annual multipeak traditional periodization did not influence the resting mucosal immune-endocrinal responses in young judo athletes.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the performance and energy systems contribution during four upper-body Wingate tests interspersed by 3-min intervals. Fourteen well-trained male adult Judo athletes voluntarily took part in the present study. These athletes were from state to national level, were in their competitive period, but not engaged in any weight loss procedure. Energy systems contributions were estimated using oxygen uptake and blood lactate measurements. The main results indicated that there was higher glycolytic contribution compared to oxidative ( P <0.001) during bout 1, but lower glycolytic contribution was observed compared to the phosphagen system (adenosine triphosphate-creatine phosphate, ATP-PCr) contribution during bout 3 ( P <0.001), lower glycolytic contribution compared to oxidative and ATP-PCr ( P <0.001 for both comparisons) contributions during bout 4 and lower oxidative compared to ATP-PCr during bout 4 ( P =0.040). For the energy system contribution across Wingate bouts, the ATP-PCr contribution during bout 1 was lower than that observed during bout 4 ( P =0.005), and the glycolytic system presented higher percentage contribution in the first bout compared to the third and fourth bouts ( P <0.001 for both comparisons), and higher percentage participation in the second compared to the fourth bout ( P <0.001). These results suggest that absolute oxidative and ATP-PCr participations were kept constant across Wingate tests, but there was an increase in relative participation of ATP-PCr in bout 4 compared to bout 1, probably due to the partial phosphocreatine resynthesis during intervals and to the decreased glycolytic activity.

The aim of present study was to compare blood lipid postprandial profile response in two modes of high-intensity intermittent exercise. Twelve individuals (6 men and 6 women) were submitted to a maximal incremental test (to determine maximal aerobic power [MAP] and V. O 2peak [peak oxygen uptake]), high-intensity intermittent all-out exercise (60×8-sec bouts interspersed by 12-sec passive recovery) and fixed high-intensity intermittent exercise (100% maximal aerobic speed, consisted of 1-min repetitions at MAP [70 rpm] separated by 1-min of passive recovery). Blood samples were collected pre, immediately, 45 and 90-min postexercise. Serum was analyzed for total cholesterol and its ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and triacylglycerol (TAG). For TAG there was a main effect of moment with higher values immediately postexercise compared to 45-min postexercise. For VLDL there was a main effect to moment with higher values immediately post exercise than pre and 45-min postexercise; higher values 90-min postexercise than 45-min postexercise. There was no effect for HDL-c, LDL-c, and cholesterol. For area under the curve there was no difference for any variable. Our results indicated that both kinds of acute exercise session lead to no improvement in the acute response of serum lipid profile of healthy young.

This study investigated the prevalence, magnitude, and methods of rap-id weight loss among male and female Taekwondo athletes from all competitive levels. A questionnaire was administered to 72 men (regional/state level, n=31; national/international level, n=41) and 44 women (regional/state level, n=9; national/international, n=35). Among the male athletes, 77.4% of the regional/state level and 75.6% of the national/international athletes declared to have reduced weight to compete in lighter weight categories. Among women, 88.9% of regional/state level and 88.6% of national/international level reported the use of rapid weight loss strategies. Athletes reported to usually lose ~3% of their body weight, with some athletes reaching ~7% of their body weight. The methods used to achieve weight loss are potentially dangerous to health and no difference between sexes was found. Four methods were more frequently used by men athletes in higher competitive levels as compared to lower levels, as follows: skipping meals (Z=2.28, P=0.023, η(2)=0.21), fasting (Z=2.337, P=0.019, η(2)=0.22), restricting fluids (Z=2.633, P=0.009, η(2)=0.24) and spitting (Z=2.363, P=0.018, η(2)=0.22). Taekwondo athletes lost ~3% of their body mass, using methods potentially dangerous for their health. Although no difference was found between sexes, lower level athletes more frequently used methods such as skipping meals, fasting, restricting fluids and spitting. Considering that these health-threating methods are more commonly used by lower level athletes, specific education programs should be directed to them.