Criterion Validity, Reliability and Usefulness of a Judo-Specific Maximal Aerobic Power Test

To evaluate criterion validity, reliability and usefulness of a test to measure maximal aerobic power using judo-specific movements (UK_test).

12 judokas performed five graded exercise tests (GETs) in 4 sessions. In sessions 1 and 2, upper-body (UB_test), lower-body (LB_test) and familiarization UK_test. GETs were randomly performed and separated by at least 48 hours. In sessions 3 and 4, test and retest UK_test were performed (7-day apart). For all GETs, peak oxygen consumption (V̇O_2peak), maximal heart rate (HR_max), peak blood lactate concentration ([Lapeak]), maximal aerobic intensity and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Another group of 12 judokas performed the UK_test and one confirmation test (20-min after the UK_test), at 105% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) until exhaustion, to confirm if maximal responses were achieved.

V̇O_2peak did not differ (P>.05) between UK_test (46.04±5.34 mL.kg^-1.min^-1) and LB_test (44.78±5.98 mL.kg^-1.min^-1), but was higher (P<.05) than UB_test (37.03±7.16 mL.kg^-1.min^-1). Total duration (551±60s) and [Lapeak] (7.10±1.76 mmol.L^-1) in the UK_test were different (P<.05) from UB_test (416±47s, 9.93±2.15 mmol.L^-1, respectively) and LB_test (433±54s, 10.29±2.23 mmol.L^-1, respectively). Very large relationships between V̇O_2peak in UK_test with UB_test (r=0.78, P=.003) and LB_test (r=0.87, P<.001) were found. Maximal values were achieved for the UK_test V̇O_2peak, HR_max, [Lapeak], RPE and MAS, with no difference between test and retest (P>.05). In addition, very large intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the V̇O_2peak (ICC=0.86), HR_max (ICC=0.90) and MAS (ICC=0.81) were found.

UK_test can be considered a valid, reliable and useful test to measure maximal aerobic power using judo-specific movements.