Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using regression modeling. Methods: This study examined 16 judokas (aged 23 (±2.5)) from four weight categories, with four athletes in each category (66 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg and 90 kg). Each athlete was a member of the Polish National Team, an international master class (IM) or national master class (M). The tests were carried out twice (every two weeks) during the pre-competitive season in the morning, after a 10-min warm-up. The tests were performed according to the following protocol: Explosive Strength Lower Limbs (ExSLL) [W], Strength Endurance Lower Limbs (SELL) [%], Explosive Strength Upper Limbs (ExSUL) [W], Strength Endurance Upper Limbs (SEUL) [%]. The relationships between the dependent variable (ranking score) and the other analyzed variables (predictors) were estimated using the one-factor ridge regression analysis. Results: There were significant intergroup and intragroup differences in the results of explosive strength and strength endurance of the lower and upper limbs. The best predictors were identified using regression modeling: ExSLL, SELL, and SEUL. Conclusions: Increasing the value of these predictors by a unit should significantly affect the scores in the ranking table. Correlation analysis showed that all variables that are strongly correlated with the Polish Judo Association (PJA) ranking table scores may have an effect on the sports performance.

Background: The main aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the external load on the reaction time of the lower limbs of mixed martial arts fighters. Material and methods: The research group consisted of 31 senior MMA fighters (with training experience of at least 10 years, divided into two weight categories: light (66-70 kg) and heavy (over 93 kg) and each of them into two categories: intermediate and advanced). The Keizer Leg Press pneumatic device (Keizer, Fresno, CA, USA) was used to evaluate the reaction time of the lower limbs of MMA fighters. The subjects performed a 20-minute warm-up and then worked on the Keizer Leg Press measuring device according to the manufacturer's protocol. Based on this data, a 10 single repetitions test was performed. The value of the external resistance and the time to the next repetition were not changed to obtain the measurement data. Results: The obtained results indicate a constant deterioration of the value of the RTLBL and RTLL variable when increasing the external load in both studied groups. In the case of advanced players in the 66-70 kg weight group, a clear (statistically significant) increase in the value of the RTLBL and RTLL variable occurred from 70% 1RM, while in the intermediate group it was from 50% 1RM, and from 80% 1RM in the weight category above 93 in both study groups. Growth dynamics was lower in the advanced group in both tested weight categories. Conclusions: Performing the progression of the external load may allow the detection of the dominance of one lower limb and determination of the dynamics of differences in the reaction time of the frontal and back limb in MMA fighters.

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Body response is a key element of the periodization of any training unit. The main control systems in the human body are the nervous and endocrine systems. The study aims to examine the effect of bench press at a specified movement tempo on post-exercise blood testosterone and cortisol levels. The study involved 16 men (experience in resistance training 5.5 ± 1.3 years, aged 24 ± 2 years, body weight 86.1 ± 7.2 kg, and 1RM 125 ± 17 kg). The first stage of the test focused on determining the maximum force based on a single bench press with the highest possible external load (1RM). The second stage included the main test, i.e. bench press. The participants were asked to perform 5 sets successively, with an external load of 70% of an individual 1RM and as many repetitions as possible. The tempo of the exercise was precisely specified. The metronome was used to set a bench press tempo. The movement tempo included time under tension (TUT) 2/0/2/0. TUT means the total time of muscle tension during one repetition. The tests showed significant changes in cortisol levels recorded 30 minutes after exercise, amounting to 13.75 (±4.60) at F=9.16 and p=0.006. and 60 minutes after exercise, amounting to 11.37 (±4.17) at F=19.46 and p=0.0002. No significant statistical values were found for testosterone levels. This study brings additional evidence of the importance of hormonal responses in muscle strength training.