In judo competition for visual impairment, athletes of different classes compete against each other in the same category; B1 athletes are totally blind, whereas B2 and B3 athletes are partially sighted. To test for potential competition disparities due a single category of athletes, this study aimed to compare competitive and technical–tactical performance in visually impaired judo athletes with different degrees of visual impairment. The authors analyzed 340 judo matches from the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. The scores, penalties, efficiency index, and types of medals were examined, as well as the technical variation and temporal structure. The main finding was that blind judo athletes presented lower scores (p < .05; effect size [ES] = 0.43–0.73), medals (p < .05), and efficiency (p < .05; ES = 0.40–0.73); different patterns of play; and a shorter time to lose than partially sighted athletes (p = .027; ES = 0.10–0.14). However, the penalties were similar between classes (p > .05; ES = 0.07–0.14). The odds ratio of a winning medal was 3.5–8 times less in blind athletes than in partially sighted athletes (p < .01). In conclusion, blind judo athletes presented lower competitive and technical–tactical performance than athletes with some residual functional vision. These findings provide support for the development of new evidence-based criteria for judo classification based on vision impairment.

This study analyzed the relationship between generic and judo-specific physical test performances and technical-tactical competition performances among 19 female judo athletes. Participant data were gathered in two stages: (a) physical tests-countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip strength, Special Judo Fitness Test and Judogi Grip Strength Test; and (b) match performances recorded for technical-tactical analysis. Pearson's linear correlation and multiple linear regression analysis showed no significant correlations between any technical-tactical parameter and judo-specific physical tests. However, the number of attacks during matches was significantly positively correlated with countermovement jump height (CMJ; r = 0.69, p = .002), peak power output (CMJ; r = 0.53, p = .002), and peak velocity (CMJ; r = 0.62, p = .001). Effective time during matches was significantly correlated with all CMJ parameters (except maximum force; r = 0.65-0.76, p ≤ .01) and with right hand grip strength ( r = 0.48, p = .037). Match effectiveness was correlated with CMJ ( r = -0.67, p = .001), mean power output (CMJ; r = -0.54, p = .017), and CMJ ( r = -0.54, p = .004). The explained power of variance was low for all variables at 45-54%. We conclude that judo-specific performance tests do not seem to be related to female judo athletes' technical-tactical skills in official competition, though athletes with higher lower limb muscle power and higher handgrip strength showed higher time effectiveness during matches.

This study aimed to verify the effect of caffeine intake on blood lactate concentrations and neuromuscular and technical-tactical performance during simulated judo matches. Fourteen male judo athletes received capsules containing caffeine or placebo and were evaluated in both conditions. Before the baseline and 1 hour after the caffeine/placebo intake, athletes performed the countermovement jump test (CMJ), handgrip strength, judogi grip strength test (JGST), and blood samples were collected. Subsequently, the athletes were submitted to three 5 minute matches with 15 minute intervals. All neuromuscular tests were performed and blood samples were taken during the matches' intervals. Significant interaction between condition and time (p = 0.01) was found for blood lactate concentrations. No interaction between condition and time was verified for CMJ performance (p > 0.05), handgrip strength (p > 0.05), JGST performance (p = 0.32) and number of attacks (p = 0.97). However, for all variables a significant decrease was observed throughout time (p < 0.05). According to clinical results (magnitude-based inference), we identified post-match 2 and post-match 3 showed higher effect (most likely positive effect) regarding delta caffeine - placebo than other moments (pre-match and post-match 1) for blood lactate. Caffeine increased the estimated glycolytic contribution over the matches; however, it did not induce improvements in neuromuscular performance or number of attacks.

This study aimed to verify the effect of judo matches on handgrip strength and perceptual responses during an official tournament in medalists and nonmedalists. Thirty-four male judo athletes participated in an official judo tournament. Before the first match and immediately after each match, maximum isometric handgrip strength and rate of perceived exertion overall and in specific areas were assessed. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to compare variables before the first match and after each match, and t-test was used to compare medalists and nonmedalists with the level of significance set at 5%. Also, effect size (ES) analysis was used. The results showed decrease in handgrip strength in both hands from the third match (P<0.05). The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) increased from the first match and remained high over the subsequent matches (P<0.001). A very large effect for nonmedalist group (ES=3.44) and large effect for medalist group (ES=1.94) was found in the third match compared to prematch. Forearm and fingers were the body regions most cited by athletes in both groups. We concluded that an official judo competition induced significant drop in handgrip strength from the third match and increased the RPE from first match. Medalists seem to have better recovery after the third match compared to nonmedalists.

This study aimed to analyse the effects of a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) tournament on vertical jump performance, grip strength test and perceived effort responses. 22 male BJJ athletes participated in a simulated tournament consisting of three 7 min matches separated by 14 min of rest. Kimono grip strength test (KGST), counter movement jump (CMJ) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after each match, while RPE of specific areas was assessed after three matches. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to compare strength parameters after each match with the level of significance set at 5%. The key results showed a significant decrease of jump height (p = 0.001) and net vertical impulse in the CMJ (p = 0.031), as well as a reduction of the number of reps in the KGST (p < 0.001). A significant increase of RPE was found throughout the matches (p < 0.001). Considering the RPE in specific areas, no differences were observed between the upper and lower body (p = 0.743). We conclude that the BJJ simulated tournament generated a decrease of performance in both upper and lower limbs and provoked a progressive increase in the effort perception over the matches.