Physiological, perceptual and performance variables partially predict pacing in judo

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to estimate the main actions during a judo match based on athletes’ physical fitness. Forty-one male adult judo athletes (23.3 ± 5.8 years old; 78.9 ± 11.6 kg; 174.7 ± 5.9 cm) underwent anthropometric measurements and a test battery to evaluate lower- and upper-body aerobic and anaerobic power and capacity, upper-body dynamic strength-endurance and performed one 5-min match simulation. The time-motion variables were recorded and used to determine the athletes’ pacing. Perceptual, physiological, and performance variables were used to estimate the actions during the match via multiple regression analysis. The association between the frequency of attacks and upper-body strength-endurance confirmed the relevance of developing this capacity for high-intensity actions during the match. Aerobic capacity and power were related to high-intensity actions during the match. Anaerobic power and aerobic capacity were negatively related to high-intensity strength-endurance actions across the match (grip time), while upper-body VO2peak positively influenced it. Groundwork time was determined by aerobic capacity, upper-body strength-endurance, and anaerobic power. However, the coefficient of determination for these relationships was low to moderate (i.e. 0.13–0.51). Thus, different combinations of physiological, perceptual, and performance variables could partially estimate frequency and time of high- and low-intensity actions during the match.