The physiology of judo-specific training modalities

Area of Science:

• Sports Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Combat Sports

Background:

• Optimizing judo training requires understanding physiological responses to common modalities.
• Current training prescription and monitoring may not fully align with physiological demands.
• Specific judo exercises and combat practice have distinct physiological impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physiological responses to common judo training modalities.
• To identify how different training formats affect aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
• To assess the relationship between training intensity, physiological demands, and overtraining symptoms in judo.

Main Methods:

• Literature review using keywords: "judo," "judo and training," "judo and physiology," "judo and specific exercises," and "judo and combat practice."
• Analysis of physiological demands of uchi-komi, nage-komi, and randori.
• Evaluation of heart rate as a measure of training intensity.

Main Results:

• Uchi-komi and nage-komi can be adapted to target aerobic and anaerobic fitness by manipulating training parameters.
• Randori (sparring) is less physiologically demanding than actual judo matches.
• Heart rate is an unreliable indicator of training intensity across judo training modalities.
• High-volume, high-intensity training is linked to overtraining symptoms, including immunosuppression.

Conclusions:

• Judo training and specific exercises should be tailored to optimize physiological responses and enhance competitive performance.
• Careful manipulation of training variables is necessary to maximize benefits and mitigate risks like overtraining.
• Further research may be needed to establish reliable intensity monitoring methods for judo training.