The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in fat-free mass and thicknesses of various muscles among judo athletes of different performance levels. The subjects were 69 male judo athletes of 3 different performance levels. Group A was composed of athletes who participated in the Olympic Games or Asian Games (n = 13). Groups B (n = 21) and C (n = 35) were composed of judo athletes at a university who did or did not participate in intercollegiate competitions (including qualifying matches), respectively. Muscle and fat thicknesses were measured by B-mode ultrasound at 9 sites. Fat percentage was calculated from fat thicknesses using a previously reported equation. Fat-free mass was calculated from fat percentage and body weight. Muscles thicknesses were normalized to the height of the individual. Group A had significantly larger fat-free mass than Group C (p < 0.05). The normalized thicknesses of the elbow extensor and flexor muscles were significantly larger in Group A than in Group C. The normalized thickness of the elbow flexor muscle was significantly larger in Group A than in Group B. The results of this study showed that judo athletes with low performance levels such as those in Group C had lower fat-free mass, and the degree of development of the brachialis muscles differed according to performance level.

Rapid weight reduction reduced the wrestlers' cross-sectional areas of muscle and fat tissues, which tended to recover through rehydration after the weigh-in. These results suggest that rapid weight reduction of wrestlers induced changes in different regions of the body.

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The purpose of this study was to compare the development of trunk musculature among Elite, Sub-elite, and Elite junior wrestlers. The performance level of these groups, ordered highest to lowest, is as follows: Elite (n = 20), Sub-elite (n = 25), and Elite junior (n = 39). A magnetic resonance imaging device was used to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the trunk muscles. The whole trunk muscle cross-sectional area (t-MCSA) of the Elite group was significantly larger than that of the Elite junior group (p < 0.05). The rectus abdominis muscle CSA of the Elite group was significantly larger than that of the Elite junior group (p < 0.01). The psoas major muscle CSA of the Elite group was significantly larger than that of the Elite junior group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the CSA of any of the trunk muscles between the Elite and Sub-elite groups. In conclusion, compared with Elite junior wrestlers, it is conceivable that a greater CSA of trunk flexors of Elite wrestlers is one factor which supports increased performance.

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