Antropomotoryka nr 57 [2012]. - Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego ...

Dariusz Boguszewski, Katarzyna Boguszewska, Jakub Adamczyklęku jako stanu na dzień przed startem był wyższy w grupie, w której redukowano masę ciała. W grupie, którejuczestnicy nie redukowali masy ciała, założenia startowe zostały zrealizowane w 58,3%, podczas gdy w grupieredukującej masę ciała – w 46,7%.Wnioski. Redukcja masy ciała przed startem (w krótkim czasie) może negatywnie oddziaływać na fizycznąi psychiczną dyspozycję zawodników. Ewentualne obniżanie masy ciała powinno podlegać kontroli specjalistów:trenerów, lekarzy, fizjoterapeutów.IntroductionCombat sports are disciplines where competitionmeans direct confrontation between the competingparties. Judo is a martial art derived from the Japaneseschools of ju-jitsu. According to the principles of its creator,Jigoro Kano, it is not only a sport but also a systemof physical education, real combat, and intellectualeducation [1]. Taking into account the utilitarian aspect(non-sport confrontation), judo is a relatively mild meansof defense [2].Initially, judo competition was carried out withoutdivision into weight categories. Weight divisionswere introduced for the first time (as a test) during theBrussels European Championship in 1954. Since 1959the European Championships have regularly beenconducted in a few weight categories. In 1964, duringthe Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Olympic judo tournamentwas carried out for the first time. The competition,however, ran then along the lines of an open category.In the world competitions, the fights in various weightlimits started during the World Championship in 1965in Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Games in Munich in1972 [3, 4].Current weight limits, in which the competitors participate,are a pre-condition for being admitted to compete.Therefore, judoists are obliged to adjust their bodyweight to a particular weight category in a given period oftime. The weigh-in is conducted on the morning beforethe competition. Competitors, perceiving better chancesin the competition in a lower category, use various methodsto reduce their body weight: limiting food and liquidconsumption, increased physical activity, intensive effortsto sweat, and medication [5–10]. This is not a practicethat is exclusively characteristic of judo competitors.In other sports where sportsmen are also divided intoweight categories, such as in wrestling, kickboxing, karateor taekwondo, competitors behave in similar ways[11–14]. Hence, the question arises: to what extent doessuch reduction influence the competitive results? Do notthe negative side effects nullify the advantages resultingfrom competing in a lower category?The main cognitive aim of the research was the establishmentof the relationship between pre-competitivereduction of the body weight of judo competitors and thecompetition disposition (physical and psychological), aswell as its effect upon the competitive results. The applicationaim was to draw attention to the problem ofthe competitors’ body weight reduction and to indicatedirections of effective management of the process ofpreparation for the competition.Material and methodsThe research covered 28 judo competitors (13 juniorand 15 senior). The average age of the participantswas 19.34 years, training experience 9.96 years, height178.04 cm, and body weight 80.29 kg. Of the competitors,8 had master class (MM or M), 13 – first sportsclass (I), and 7 – secondary class (II). The detailedcharacteristic of the examined group is illustrated inTable 1.To assess the physical condition of the competitors,select trials of Denisiuk’s motoric fitness test wereused. Among them were a trial that assessed the dynamicstrength of a shoulder girdle, back and stomach(double-handed throw of 3 kg medicine ball in a simpleforward kneeling position) and a trial that assessedthe explosive force of lower limbs (a long jump withouta run-up) [15].Psychological condition was assessed on the basisof Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)[16].Additionally, the participants completed the originalquestionnaire that elicited information concerning trainingexperience, judo rank, ways of reducing body weight(if competitor regularly reduced body weight), and subjectiveestimate of side effects of those activities.On the basis of the training diaries (and consultationswith coaches), the expected optimal result foreach tournament was defined for each contender.The first measurement (physical fitness test,Spielberger’s questionnaire, and the original questionnaire)was conducted 14 days before the scheduled– 28 –