Physiological characteristics of elite judo athletes

In order to provide some understanding of the physiological capacities underlying successful judo performance, representative values for a variety of physiological variables were determined in nationally ranked male (n = 18) and female (n = 9) judo athletes. Body composition, aerobic capacity, isokinetic elbow and knee flexor and extensor strength, and muscle fiber size and composition of the vastus lateralis were examined. Comparisons across weight divisions indicate that the values of many characteristics varied as a function of size. As weight division increased, relative VO2 decreased (r = -0.53 and -0.63 for males and females, respectively), % body fat increased (r = 0.64, 0.72), and the cross sectional areas of Type I (r = 0.55, 0.77) and Type IIA (r = 0.47, = 0.76) muscle fibers increased. Among females in particular, athletes in the higher weight divisions were stronger relative to LBM than those in the lower division. These results indicate that the physiological profiles of lower and upper weight division elite judo players differ markedly. It is suggested that the factors responsible for success may be specific to each weight division and may represent a compromise between making weight and maximizing physiological capacities and performance.     

Physiological and performance responses to overtraining in elite judo athletes

To determine the effect of large and sudden increases in training volume on performance characteristics and the feasibility of using overtraining syndrome symptoms to monitor performance changes, 15 elite judo athletes were examined through 10 wk of training. Athletes performed their regular regimens of resistance (3 d.wk-1), interval (2 d.wk-1), and judo (5 d.wk-1) training in weeks 1-4. Interval and resistance training volumes increased by 50% in weeks 4-8 and returned to baseline in weeks 9-10. Judo training volume was unchanged in weeks 1-8 but increased by 100% in weeks 9-10. Assessments were made in weeks 2, 4, 8, and 10. Isokinetic strength of elbow and knee extensors and flexors increased significantly from weeks 2 to 4 (3-13%), was unchanged from weeks 4 to 8, and decreased significantly (6-12%) from weeks 4 to 10. Total time for 3 x 300 m intervals increased (P less than 0.05) between weeks 2 and 4 and between weeks 4 and 8, while total time for 5 x 50 m sprints decreased (P less than 0.05) from weeks 8 to 10 (less than 2%). Body fat percentage decreased (P less than 0.05) from weeks 2 to 10. Body weight, submaximal and maximal aerobic power, resting (sleeping) systolic and diastolic pressures, resting (sleeping) submaximal and maximal heart rates, exercising blood lactate levels, and vertical jump performance did not change significantly with increases in training volume. These results suggest that 6 wk of overtraining may affect some but not all aspects of performance and that performance may be affected before symptoms of the overtraining syndrome appear.     

Lipid profiles of judo athletes during Ramadan

The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) was studied on a battery of blood lipid markers in 15 elite judo athletes during a period when they were maintaining their training load without competing. Nine-to-twelve hours postprandial serum lipid and lipoproteins were measured on five occasions: before, three times during Ramadan, and three weeks post-Ramadan. Dietary data were collected using a 24-hour recall method for three days before, during and after the Ramadan month. Mean energy intake (12.9 MJ/d) remained similar throughout the study as did the macronutrient constituents of the diet. Mean body mass was slightly reduced (2 %; p < 0.01) by the end of Ramadan due mainly to a 0.65 +/- 0.68 kg decrease in body fat (p < 0.05). The RIF produced significant changes in some of the blood lipid levels: both HDL-C and LDL-C increased by 0.12 (p < 0.01) and 0.20 mmol . l (-1) (p < 0.05), respectively. During Ramadan, mean non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels decreased from 0.73 to 0.28 mmol . l (-1) (p < 0.01) during the first week, then increased (p < 0.05) to 1.22 mmol . l (-1) over the middle of Ramadan and recovered to pre-Ramadan concentrations for the end and the post-Ramadan periods. Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) levels were significantly elevated at the end (p < 0.01) and the post-Ramadan periods (p < 0.05). Three weeks after Ramadan, blood levels of glucose, NEFA, Apo-A1, and Apo-B did not return to the values observed before Ramadan. In conclusion, the present results show that the combination of the change in diet pattern during Ramadan, along with intense exercise training, induced a significant decrease in body mass associated with a reduction in body fat and changes in some of the serum lipids and lipoproteins. Nevertheless, all the measured serum parameters remained within normal levels for young and active individuals. The volunteers, in this study, were able to maintain a constant training load during RIF.     

Physiological profiles of elite senior wrestlers

To perform excellently in international competitions, wrestlers have to achieve an excellent level of physical fitness and physical condition during training. This article reviews the physiological profiles of elite wrestlers. In general, successful wrestlers showed higher dynamic and isokinetic strength than unsuccessful wrestlers. In particular, upper body strength and anaerobic power were significantly different between the two groups. Aerobic capacity is one of the most important physical factors to achieve good results in wrestling competitions. The maximal oxygen uptake of national and international wrestlers taking part in international competition has been shown to be about 53 to 56 ml/kg/min. Around the time of the Seoul Olympics, typical values for wrestlers were about 60 ml/kg/min, with values of >70 ml/kg/min in some cases (the latter being similar to values reported for some endurance runners). The flexibility of the wrestlers was found to be lower than that of weight lifters and gymnasts. However, the flexibility of top-level wrestlers was higher than that of lower level wrestlers. To fully understand the physiological profiles of successful wrestlers, further research regarding anaerobic and aerobic energy metabolism, cardiopulmonary responses, body fat content, and changes in muscle hypertrophy both during the wrestling season and off-season is warranted.     

Lipoprotein and lipid profiles of elite athletes in Olympic sports

The aim of this work was to obtain an insight into the influence exerted upon plasma lipid parameters by high quality physical training in different specialties of nine Olympic sports. We compared the concentrations of serum cholesterol (TC), total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), HDL, LDL, VLDL, and % distribution of HDL, LDL, and VLDL of elite athletes (n = 127, age = 22.0 +/- 3.2 yrs) participating in regular training for over 3 years (2-4 h/day), separated into 11 groups of athletic specialties, with those obtained from a group of selected sedentary controls (n = 26, age = 25.3 +/- 4.5 yrs). We also compared the lipoprotein ratio factor (RF) values TC/HDL and LDL/HDL. The athletic disciplines examined were football, basketball, volleyball, boxing, wrestling, judo, sailing, skiing (slalom), track (two groups), and throwing-jumping. Football, volleyball, judo, SD and LD running, and the total sum of athletes had significantly higher HDL than the controls. Football, basketball, volleyball and all the disciplines taken together showed significantly lower LDL. Boxing, judo, and LD running had significantly lower VLDL and volleyball, SD, and LD running significantly lower %VLDL. Volleyball had significantly lower TL, boxing and volleyball lower TC, while judo, boxing, SD and LD running had lower TG. Sailing had significantly lower %HDL and higher %LDL and TL than the controls; wrestling, skiing, and throwing-jumping did not differ. In all the athletes taken together, VO2 max or relative body weight, with respect to HDL and TC/HDL, were found to be slightly correlated (r = 0.30, P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Physiological and metabolic characteristics of elite tug of war athletes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the aerobic power (VO(2)MAX), body composition, strength, muscular power, flexibility, and biochemical profile of an elite international squad of tug of war athletes. METHODS: Sixteen male competitors (mean (SEM) age 34 (2) years) were evaluated in a laboratory. For comparative purposes, data were analysed relative to normative data for our centre and to a group of 20 rugby forwards from the Irish international squad. RESULTS: The tug of war participants were lighter (83.6 (3.0) v 104.4 (1.8) kg, p<0.0001) and had less lean body mass (69.4 (2.1) v 86.2 (1.2) kg) than the rugby players and had lower than normal body fat (16.7 (0.9)%); all values are mean (SEM). Aerobic power measured during a treadmill test was 55.8 (1.6) ml/kg/min for the tug of war participants compared with 51.1 (1.4) ml/kg/min for the rugby forwards (p<0.03). A composite measure of strength derived from (sum of dominant and non-dominant grip strength and back strength)/lean body mass yielded a strength/mass ratio that was 32% greater (p<0.0001) for the tug of war group than the rugby group. Dynamic leg power was lower for the tug of war group than the rugby forwards (4659.8 (151.6) v 6198.2 (105) W respectively; p<0.0001). Leg flexibility was 25.4 (2.0) cm for the tug of war group. Back flexibility was 28.6 (1.4) cm which was lower (p<0.02) than the rugby forwards 34.2 (1.5) cm. Whereas blood chemistry and haematology were normal, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte volume were lower in the tug of war group than in the rugby players (p<0.05). All three haematological measures correlated with muscle mass (packed cell volume, r(2) = 0.37, p<0.0001; haemoglobin concentration, r(2) = 0.13, p<0.05; erythrocyte volume, r(2) = 0.21, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that international level tug of war participants have excellent strength and above average endurance relative to body size, but have relatively low explosive leg power and back flexibility. The data provide reference standards for the sport and may be useful for monitoring and evaluating current and future participants.     

Haematocrit in elite athletes

It is possible to increase haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) to non-physiological values by injecting recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). Although this treatment may result in a better performance of athletes, it may also cause a health risk. To prevent doping with rhEPO, the Union Cycliste Internationale has decided to exclude male cyclists with Ht>0.50 and female cyclists with Ht>0.47 from competition. These cut-off values, however, may result in a non-justified exclusion of clean athletes. To test this hypothesis, we measured the Ht of elite athletes (50 men and 41 women) during a total study period of 43 months. Ht was compared with that in healthy control subjects (134 men and 144 women). No significant differences in Ht were detected between male elite athletes and their references and female elite athletes and their references (P>0.05). In both populations, however, male subjects were found with Ht>0.50, 6 controls and 5 elite athletes (4 highlanders and 1 lowlander). In the female subjects 5 controls but not one of the athletes exceeded a Ht>0.47. "Increased" Ht values among athletes were mainly seen in highlanders. The study shows that it is very difficult to set up a decision value for Ht with regard to doping by erythropoietin.     

Psychophysiological stress in judo athletes during competitions.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between psychophysiological variables were investigated by comparing physiological responses (salivary cortisol and testosterone concentrations) and psychological responses (measured by the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 -CSAI-2-and by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -STAY-) prior to judo competitions at two levels (regional versus interregional). METHODS: Twelve male judo competitors at interregional level (mean age 22.2+/-1.6 years) entered the experimentation after informed consent. Judo athletes completed the CSAI-2 prior to both competitions and collected saliva for cortisol and testosterone analysis on three occasions: during a resting day (baseline values) and prior to and after both competitions. Trait scales of the STAI (Y-2) were used during a resting baseline period with no stressful situations in order to measure participant's self reported anxiety. RESULTS: Cognitive and somatic anxiety were higher in interregional championships compared to regional championships whereas self-confidence was significantly lower. Cortisol levels increased sharply (about 2.5 fold resting levels) throughout both competitions with no changes in testosterone levels. Positive relationships between anxiety components (somatic and cognitive anxiety) and cortisol were noted in both competitions. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary cortisol, together with anxiety components, may provide a better sensitive index of physiological stress than testosterone concentrations.     

Hereditary thrombophilia in elite athletes

PURPOSE: Although under normal circumstances exercise prevents thrombosis, there are cases in the literature that indicate a connection between exercise and the onset of thrombosis. In the average population, hereditary thrombophilia is a major cause of thrombosis. However, nothing is known about the prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia in elite athletes. Because high-performance sports are known to carry an increased risk of thrombogenesis, measures to avoid thrombosis must be initiated in cases of known hereditary thrombophilia. METHODS: Hereditary thrombophilia was checked for in 173 elite athletes, members of the German national team. Antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, and the APC ratio, followed by a molecular genetic analysis, were measured, and molecular analysis of factor II G20210A mutation was used to detect the presence of an antithrombin III-, protein C- and protein S-deficiency, as well as factor V Leiden (factor V 506Arg to Gln) and factor II G20210A mutation. RESULTS: No definite antithrombin III-, protein C- or protein S-deficiency was found. In 12 cases, an APC resistance caused by a factor V Leiden mutation (11 heterozygous; 1 homozygous) was detected. In 10 cases, a heterozygous factor II G20210A was observed; a combination of both mutations was not found. For factor V Leiden, this corresponds to a prevalence of 6.9% (CI 95% 3.6-11.8%) in our group, similar to prevalence rates in the general population. Additionally, the observed prevalence of 5.8% (CI 95% 2.8-10.4%) of factor II G20210A is nearly within the range as reported by several authors. CONCLUSION: Based on the observed prevalence of APC resistance and factor II G20210A mutation in our group of athletes, along with consideration of additional circumstantial risks, screening tests for elite athletes should be considered to allow the undertaking of preventive measures.     

Effectiveness of functional ankle taping for judo athletes: a comparison between judo bandaging and taping.

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the traditional method of ankle bandaging and the new method of ankle taping for judo athletes in Japan, and to introduce a functionally effective taping method for judo players. Four university judo athletes with ankle instability were selected to undertake radiography of the ankles before and after exercise, with bandaging at one time and taping at the other. Talar tilt (TT) angles were measured in order to compare the ankle-supporting effects. The results showed that the old ankle bandaging method had no role in eliminating the talar tilt during judo practice. In contrast, the new taping method was more effective in eliminating the talar tilt and supporting the involved ankles both mechanically and functionally.     

Asthma in Tunisian elite athletes

Several studies in the past few decades have shown that very intense and repeated exercise, particularly when performed over many years, could cause respiratory health problems. The prevalence of exercise-induced asthma has increased in the athletic population, particularly in elite athletes and has not been published in North African athletes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in Tunisian elite athletes. Each participant responded to a questionnaire about respiratory symptoms and medical history and underwent a resting spirometry testing before exercise. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was defined as a decrease of at least 15% in pre-exercise forced expiratory volume in one second at any time point after exercise. Post-exercise spirometry revealed the presence of exercise induced bronchoconstriction in 14 out of 107 (13%) elite athletes, while only 1.8% of the subjects reported having previously diagnosed asthma. The prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was 19% (8/42) among those athletes training outdoors and 10% (6/65) among those training indoors. In conclusion, our findings indicate that a significant number of Tunisian athletes had exercise-induced bronchoconstriction while not diagnosed before.     

Mortality and longevity of elite athletes

The health benefits of leisure-time physical activity are well known, however the effects of engaging in competitive sports on health are uncertain. This literature review examines mortality and longevity of elite athletes and attempts to understand the association between long-term vigorous exercise training and survival rates. Fourteen articles of epidemiological studies were identified and classified by type of sport. Life expectancy, standardised mortality ratio, standardised proportionate mortality ratio, mortality rate, and mortality odds ratio for all causes of death were used to analyse mortality and longevity of elite athletes. It appears that elite endurance (aerobic) athletes and mixed-sports (aerobic and anaerobic) athletes survive longer than the general population, as indicated by lower mortality and higher longevity. Lower cardiovascular disease mortality is likely the primary reason for their better survival rates. On the other hand, there are inconsistent results among studies of power (anaerobic) athletes. When elite athletes engaging in various sports are analysed together, their mortality is lower than that of the general population. In conclusion, long-term vigorous exercise training is associated with increased survival rates of specific groups of athletes.     

Body composition of elite American athletes

Five hundred twenty-eight male athletes participating in 26 Olympic events and 298 female athletes participating in 15 Olympic events underwent determination of body fat percentage (% fat) and lean body mass (LBM) via hydrostatic weighing and/or anthropometric methods. All groups of athletes were below the average values for % fat of college age men and women of 15% and 25%, respectively. In general, athletes involved in a sport where their body weight is supported, such as canoe and kayak (males, 13.0 +/- 2.5%; females, 22.2 +/- 4.6%) and swimming (males, 12.4 +/- 3.7%; females 19.5 +/- 2.8%), tended to have higher % fat values. Athletes involved in sports where a weight class has to be made to compete, such as boxing (males, 6.9 +/- 1.6%) and wrestling (male, Junior World Freestyle 7.9 +/- 2.7%), events such as the 100, 200, and 400 meters in athletes (male 100 and 200 meters, 6.5 +/- 1.2%; female 100, 200 and 400 meters, 13.7 +/- 3.6%) that are very anaerobic in nature and extremely aerobic events such as the marathon (males, 6.4 +/- 1.3%) demonstrated lower % fat values. Athletes involved in sports where body size is a definite advantage, such as basketball (males, 84.1 +/- 6.2 kg; females, 55.3 +/- 4.9 kg) and volleyball (males, 75.0 +/- 6.6 kg; females, 58.4 +/- 4.5 kg) tended to have a larger LBM.     

Training principles for elite senior athletes

Despite the passage of time, masters athletes are still capable of incredible performances. Nevertheless, overuse injuries are the most common challenge in this escalating cohort. The incidence of exertion-related cardiovascular events is also greater among older athletes, especially men, highlighting the importance of a thorough preparticipation medical evaluation before entry into senior athletic training programs and competition. Accordingly, masters athletes with a moderate to high risk for coronary artery disease, who desire to enter vigorous competitive events, should undergo peak or symptom-limited exercise testing. Training programs for senior athletes should be individually tailored and focus on the predominant energy pathways and performance requirements for a given sport. Although competition and "personal bests" are important, protection against sickness and disability are increasingly listed as the primary participative motives of older athletes.     

Serum ferritin distribution in elite athletes

ObjectivesIt is not uncommon for athletes to be diagnosed with iron deficiency, yet there remains uncertainty whether the prevalence of suboptimal iron status in elite athletes differs from the normal population or warrants routine screening. The purpose of this study is to describe the distribution of serum ferritin (SF) in a cohort of elite athletes.DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsElectronic health records of 1085 elite adult athletes (570 women, 515 men) from 2012–2017 were examined retrospectively. SF values were compared to published normal population data. The proportion of athletes meeting criterion values for iron deficiency or initiation of treatment was examined.ResultsSF distributions in male athletes were significantly lower than normal males aged 20 to <24 yrs. (χ² 28.8, p < 0.001) and aged 24 to <28 yrs. (χ² 91.9, p < 0.001). SF status was similar in female athletes and normal women aged 20 to <24 yrs. (χ² 9.5, p > 0.05) or aged 24 to <28 yrs. (χ² 11.5, p > 0.05). Using 35 ng/ml as the criterion value for stage one iron deficiency, 15% of male athletes and 52% of female athletes displayed suboptimal iron status.ConclusionsMale athletes have a significantly lower population distribution of SF values as compared to normative data on healthy males, with 15% of male athletes having suboptimal SF status. The distribution of SF values in elite female athletes did not differ from population values, however approximately half women athletes were iron deficient. These data suggest that iron screening should be considered in both male and female athlete populations.     

Training issues in elite young athletes

Over the past decade, there has been a surge in the number of sports opportunities available to young athletes. Although physicians, parents, and coaches should promote healthy activity and participation, intense training at a young age can predispose exuberant young athletes to certain difficulties. Elite young athletes are at risk for overuse and growth plate injuries in certain sports. Intense training combined with inadequate nutrition may cause growth delay in elite young athletes, but this delay does not appear to affect permanent adult height. Weight training, when done properly, is safe and effective for prepubescent and pubescent athletes. Awareness of neurobehavioral development can help guide the process for appropriate sports participation. Young athletes should be closely monitored for signs of excessive physical and emotional stress so that sports participation can be fun and rewarding.     

Physiotherapists' lived experience of rehabilitating elite athletes

Aim: To examine the ‘lived experiences’ of physiotherapists while treating elite athletes. Participants: Ten practising staff in south-west England, UK. Methods: After giving informed consent, in-depth interviews were conducted and member-checked. Adopting a hermeneutical approach, data reduction was undertaken by individuals, and then rebuilt by the research team in a consensus-building process. Findings: The essence of the lived experience of treating elite athletes was one of ‘working-ness’. In describing experiences of how well rehabilitation was working, physiotherapists expressed a wide range of ‘knowing’ about rehabilitation and about elite athletes. However, the quality of the physiotherapists experience was often a product of local politics, short time frames and interpersonal relationships. Accounts resonated with Merleau-Ponty's concepts of ‘in-the-body’, and Husserl's ‘Being in the world’. Elite athletes were seen in terms of their: (1) 100%-ness, (2) individualized injury experience, (3) ignorant knowing, and of how (4) soccer is different. To describe their own part in the rehabilitation process, physiotherapists spoke about ‘I-who’ and this involved: (5) trying to keep everyone happy, (6) getting into the sport, but staying outside the game, (7) offering ‘real’ and ‘service’ treatments, and (8) Using ‘goaling’ to retrieve athleticism. Physiotherapists were concerned with the ‘working-ness’ of their practices and relationships. They used many ways of ‘knowing’ about their effectiveness to do what they feel is an important, but often stressful, job. These issues provide an important addition to existing templates of professional preparation of, and support for, sports specialists.