The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between somatotype, muscle torque and power output in judoists. Thirteen judoists (age 18.4±3.1 years, body height 178.6±8.2 cm, body mass 82.3±15.9 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. Maximal muscle torques of elbow, shoulder, knee, hip and trunk flexors as well as extensors were measured under static conditions. Power outputs were measured in 5 maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts, 10 s each, at increasing external loads equal to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5% of body weight. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between all parameters. The mean somatotype of judoists was: 3.5-5.9-1.8 (values for endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy, respectively). The values (mean±SD) of sum of muscle torque of ten muscle groups (TOTAL) was 3702.2±862.9 N x m. The power output ranged from 393.2±79.4 to 1077.2±275.4 W. The values of sum of muscle torque of right and left upper extremities (SUE), sum of muscle torque of right and left lower extremities (SLE), sum of muscle torque of the trunk (ST) and TOTAL were significantly correlated with the mesomorphic component (0.68, 0.80, 0.71 and 0.78, respectively). The ectomorphic component correlated significantly with values of SUE, SLE, ST and TOTAL (−0.69, −0.81, −0.71 and −0.79, respectively). Power output was also strongly correlated with both mesomorphy (positively) and ectomorphy (negatively). The results indicated that the values of mesomorphic and ectomorphic somatotype components influence muscle torque and power output, thus body build could be an important factor affecting results in judo.

Summary Study aim: The objective of the study was to reveal the functional limits of the motor system in women practising combat sports and team sports. Material and methods: 102 women (mean age 25.2 years, body mass 62.2 kg, body height 168.3 cm) practising competitive ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) taekwon-do (n = 22), Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) (n = 15), football (n = 35) and basketball (n = 30) participated in the study. The assessment tool was the FMS test, comprising 7 movement patterns scored on a scale of 0–3. Results: The studied female athletes earned medium scores. Women practising combat sports scored generally higher in the FMS test, although the difference was not significant (combat sports – mean value 15.57 ± 2.39, team sports – mean value 14.72 ± 1.93, difference – p = 0.07). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the second (hurdle step) and the fifth pattern (active straight leg raise – ASLR). The aggregated FMS results of female taekwon-do (15.77) and BJJ athletes (15.22) were similar. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in one pattern (ASLR). Women practising football (14.77) and basketball (14.67) attained a similar level of results in the test. Statistically significant differences were noted in two trials: footballers scored higher in the ASLR task (p < 0.05), and basketball players scored higher in rotary stability (p < 0.01). Conclusion: A statistically significant result in the FMS test was obtained by martial arts athletes, which may point to a higher level of functional movement, which may be a result of more universal training.

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The main purpose of the study was the analysis of safe falling skills visually impaired children. An attempt has been made to examine the relationship between ability of safe falls and occurrence injuries from the effect of falls. 103 children (10-16 years old) were in research and control groups. In the research group (Group I) was 39 visually impaired pupils, in control group (Group II) 64 sighted in a proper manner. Test of Susceptibility to Injury During the Falls (TSIDF) by Kalina and interview directed to determine the number and frequency of falls and their consequences were used as a research tools. There were 578 falls and 176 injuries resulting from them (7.33 falls per person in Group I and 4.96 in Group II; 2.51 injuries per person in Group I and 1.18 in Group II). Visually impaired people made more mistakes in test (TSIDF) than their non-disabled peers (p=0.007). This may prove that a high susceptibility to injury of the children from the research group (p=0.001). However visual impairment people had more injuries after the falls. Study confirmed positive effect of physical activity on the level of safe falls skills. The ability to fall down in a safe way in children suffering from visual impairment is more improperly developed when compared it to healthy children. Physical activity and especially exercises of safe falls skills can be important element of prevention of falls.

Rivalry in combat sports involves a direct contact of the competitors. Kickboxing is a discipline involving kicking and punching. The techniques using legs and hands are allowed, excluding blows with elbows. Rivalry in judo, in turn, involves effective throwing (nage-waza) and grappling (katame-waza) techniques. Both disciplines are characterised by a short and interrupted anaerobic exercise, requiring optimal strength, speed and endurance levels as in boxing or wrestling [1-4]. Weight limitation to fight in a given category is the formal condition for qualifying athletes for competition. Therefore, kick boxers and judokas have to adjust their body mass to the appropriate weight category within a designated period of time.