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Changes in cardiac structure and function among elite judoists resulting from long-term judo practice
R Laskowski1, K Wysocki, A Multan
1Department of Physiology, Academy of Physical Education and Sports, Gdansk, Poland. lasradek@awf.gda.pl
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|November 1, 2008
Summary
Long-term judo practice leads to cardiac structural and functional changes in elite athletes, enhancing both aerobic and anaerobic performance. These adaptations in elite judoists resemble those seen in endurance athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Elite judo practice involves intense physical exertion.
- Understanding the cardiovascular adaptations to long-term judo training is crucial for athlete health and performance.
- Previous research has explored the effects of various sports on cardiac structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific changes in cardiac structure and function resulting from long-term judo practice in elite athletes.
- To compare the cardiac adaptations in judoists to those observed in endurance and strength athletes.
- To assess the impact of judo training on both aerobic and anaerobic capacity.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic measurements of cardiac dimensions (aorta diameter, left ventricular diastolic dimension, interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness) were performed at rest.
- Cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure were measured.
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined using direct methods, and anaerobic capacity was assessed via the Wingate test.
Main Results:
- Long-term judo training induced significant changes in heart morphology, including increased left ventricular diastolic dimension, interventricular septum thickness, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness.
- These cardiac adaptations in judoists were more akin to those observed in endurance athletes than in strength athletes.
- Judo training was associated with improvements in both aerobic and anaerobic performance markers.
Conclusions:
- Judo training significantly alters cardiac structure and function in elite athletes.
- The observed cardiac changes are associated with enhanced aerobic and anaerobic performance.
- The cardiovascular adaptations in judoists share similarities with those of endurance athletes, suggesting a mixed physiological demand of the sport.
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