Differences in morphological parameters of judo athletes of different age groups and performance level

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess differences in the morphological parameters of judo athletes of different age and performance level.

Methods: The research sample was composed of 47 male judokas (age 19.15 ± 2.93 years; body weight 77.16 ± 11.39 kg; height 178.91 ± 6.39 cm; sport age 11.47 ± 2.74 years). It was divided by: (1) age, into cadets (15-17 years, n = 19), juniors (18-20 years, n = 15), and seniors (21+ years, n = 13) category and (2) performance status (elite, n = 10; non-elite, n = 37). In all participants, body fat, and the circumference measurement of wrist, forearm, flexed arm, and calf were observed. A personal interview was used to gain information about the athlete's performance status.

Results: We found out that there are significant differences in arm circumference between cadets and seniors, cadets and juniors, juniors and seniors; and in the circumference of forearm between cadets and seniors; cadets and juniors, as well. According to the performance status, we have discovered significantly higher circumference of forearm and wrist in the elite group compared to the non-elite group.

Conclusion: Forearm and wrist circumference is a reliable discriminative factor and should be taken into consideration, especially when selecting judo athletes into elite teams. However, we did not confirm that subcutaneous fat is a parameter able to distinguish between judo athletes of different performance status across various age categories.