Reliability and Validity of the New Judo Physical Fitness Test

Background. Evaluation of athletes is a key element of the training process. Although there are some judo-specific tests, none of them includes the main judo actions (gripping, throwing, and groundwork) in its structure. Problem and aim. To evaluate the reliability, usefulness and validity of a new judo physical fitness test (JPFT), which includes gripping, throwing, and groundwork actions. Methods: Ten male judo athletes (16.5 +/- 0.5 years, height = 181.0 +/- 7.7 cm, body mass = 78.3 +/- 11.5 kg) performed the JPFT twice, separated by 48 h. Validity was determined by examining the relationship between JPFT and the Wingate test, Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), simulated judo match (SJM) and incremental exercise test (IET). Results. All ICC values were statistically significant, except for the number of techniques in series A and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE, ) with two variables presenting significant reliability (resting blood lactate, [La], number of techniques in series B), six very significant reliability ([La] 5-min after the test, peak [La], heart rate, HR, 1-min after the test, number of techniques in series C, total number of techniques, JPFT index), and three nearly perfect reliability ([La] 3-min after the test, HR after the test, SJFT index). Large and very large correlations were observed between [La] and HR in the JPFT and those in the SJFT and SJM. The similarity of effort during an official match was correlated with [La] 5-min after the test (r= 0.84) and peak [La] (r= 0.71) and RPE (r= 0.68) to the JPFT.