Judo nephropathy: trauma versus non-trauma

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Renal Physiology
• Trauma Research

Background:

• Judo involves repeated impacts and falls, raising concerns about potential kidney injury.
• The severity of impact during falls may influence renal function and urinary markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of varying impact forces from judo falls on renal function.
• To differentiate between exercise-induced and trauma-induced renal changes in athletes.

Main Methods:

• Nine male judo players underwent a protocol of 100 falls, repeated on mats of different thicknesses (10 cm vs. 2.5 cm) to simulate varying impact forces.
• Blood and urine samples were collected serially for 24 hours post-trauma.
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed, and urine was analyzed for protein and red blood cells using electrophoresis.

Main Results:

• The traumatic session (2.5-cm mat) significantly inhibited 24-hour GFR.
• The non-traumatic session (10-cm mat) resulted in a 73.88% increase in 24-hour GFR compared to controls.
• Both sessions showed increased urinary protein (predominantly albumin), and the traumatic session exhibited significant hematuria.

Conclusions:

• The severity of mechanical trauma, not the exercise itself, appears to be the primary factor precipitating hematuria during judo falls.
• Significant renal impact can lead to temporary renal dysfunction, while milder impacts may enhance renal function markers.