NaHCO ingestion was able to increase the contribution of glycolytic metabolism and, therefore, improve performance during simulated taekwondo combat.

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The aim of this study was to compare the perceptual and physiological responses and time-to-exhaustion in high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols that are prescribed based on the relative anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) or maximal aerobic speed (MAS) in athletes with different ASR values, as well as the coefficient of variation (CV) of the abovementioned variables. Eleven long-distance runners and ten rugby players were submitted to five experimental sessions on different days; the first and second session were intended for the determination of the anthropometry, MAS and maximal sprint (MSS). In the subsequent sessions, three HIIE 15:15s protocols were performed until exhaustion (110% MAS, Δ25%ASR, and Δ50%ASR) in random order. The anthropometric characteristics and variables obtained from the MAS and MSS tests in the different groups were compared by Student's unpaired t-test. The analysis of mixed models for repeated measures (groups and protocols) was used to compare the speed, delta blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion, and time-to-exhaustion. Rugby players presented higher ASR (13.6 ± 0.9 km h −1 ) compared to long-distance runners (12.6 ± 0.9 km h −1 ) (P = .049). For the HIIE 15:15s protocols, there were no protocol and group interaction effects. However, lower CV values were observed for time-to-exhaustion (a mean reduction of 52%) and delta blood lactate (a mean reduction of 48%) in Δ25%ASR and Δ50%ASR when compared to 110%MAS. Furthermore, the rating of perceived exertion CV was similar in all HIIE 15:15s protocols. The prescription of intensity of HIIE based on the ASR was able to reduce the inter-subject variability of lactate and time-to-exhaustion in rugby players and long-distance runners.

Studies have shown that nitrate (NO3−)-rich beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation improves endurance and high-intensity intermittent exercise. The dose–response effects on taekwondo following BJ supplementation are yet to be determined. This study aimed to investigate two acute doses of 400 mg of NO3− (BJ-400) and 800 mg of NO3− (BJ-800) on taekwondo-specific performance and cognitive function tests compared with a placebo (PL) and control (CON) conditions. Eight trained male taekwondo athletes (age: 20 ± 4 years, height: 180 ± 2 cm, body mass: 64.8 ± 4.0 kg) completed four experimental trials using a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design: BJ-400, BJ-800, PL, and CON. Participants consumed two doses of BJ-400 and BJ-800 or nitrate-depleted PL at 2.5 h prior to performing the Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT). Countermovement jump (CMJ) was performed before the (FSKT) and PSTT, whereas cognitive function was assessed (via the Stroop test) before and after supplementation and 10 min following PSTT. Blood lactate was collected before the CMJ tests immediately and 3 min after the FSKT and PSST; rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded during and after both specific taekwondo tests. No significant differences (p > 0.05), with moderate and large effect sizes, between conditions were observed for PSTT and FSKT performances. In addition, blood lactate, RPE, heart rate, and CMJ height were not significantly different among conditions (p > 0.05). However, after the PSTT test, cognitive function was higher in BJ-400 compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). It was concluded that acute intake of 400 and 800 mg of NO3−rich BJ reported a moderate to large effect size in anaerobic and aerobic; however, no statistical differences were found in taekwondo-specific performance.

After 2016 the International Judo Federation changed rules to promote the "positive" judo. This study compared two World-Championships-editions before and after the rules changes: Astana-2015 and Budapest-2017. Data from matches disputed in Astana (765) and Budapest (768) were analyzed concerning: total match duration, frequency of scores and penalties, association between edition and extra time, disqualifications and matches without penalties. Three-way ANOVA was used to compare sexes, weight categories and World-Championships-edition, with LSD test as post-hoc. The associations between World-Championships-edition and matches finished in extra time, disqualifications and matches without any score were tested via Chi square. Results were: (a) no change in number of ippon when the same sex and weight category were considered across years; (b) number of waza-ari increased from Astana to Budapest; (c) number of penalties decreased from Astana to Budapest. Females in Budapest received less penalties than females in Astana and males in both competitions. Extra-lightweights received less penalties than lightweights upwards; heavyweights received more penalties than all other weight categories from middleweights downwards; (d) occurrence of extra time and hansoku-make increased for females, males and all groups together; (e) males' matches were longer than females ones. Thus, the new rules partially achieved the goal proposed

Purpose The relationship between inflammatory markers and energetic metabolism has been explored. However, the relationship between exercise intensity and fitness status is unclear, and it is necessary to understand this relationship to apply specific exercise guidance. The purpose of the study was to analyze metabolic and inflammatory responses imposed by acute exercise sessions performed at moderate, heavy, and severe intensities and their relationship with the physical fitness status. Methods Nineteen healthy male volunteers performed three acute exercise sessions until exhaustion or up to 60 minutes on a cycle ergometer at moderate (90% of first ventilatory threshold [VT1]), heavy (midpoint between VT1 and second ventilatory threshold [VT2]), and severe (midpoint between VT2 and maximal aerobic power) intensities. Blood lactate, glucose, NEFA, endotoxin, and cytokines were determined for each exercise session. Peripheral and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, and IL‐10 was analyzed before, after, and 60 minutes after sessions. Results In peripheral blood, severe intensity increased lactate, endotoxin, and TNF‐α immediately after exercise and glucose at 60 min after exercise. There was a trend for IL‐10 increase at 60 minutes after exercise in peripheral blood. Immediately after exercise, LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐6/IL‐10 ratio, and lactate levels were higher in the severe intensity while nonester fatty acid levels decreased at this time. At 60 minute after exercise, higher concentrations of glucose and a trend for increased IL‐10 were observed in severe intensity. A positive correlation was observed between maximal aerobic power and IL‐10 ( r = 0.513; P = 0.042), and negative correlations between maximal aerobic power and endotoxin ( r = −0.531; P = 0.034) and lactate ( r = −0.538; P = 0.031) in heavy intensity. Conclusion Our data show a novel finding that higher cytokine responses occur at higher intensities, mainly in severe intensity. However, the anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) response was physical fitness–dependent.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) results specific to the population of male judoka and to develop age category norms for junior and senior athletes. A systematic review of the existing literature was conducted to identify 281 publications reporting SJFT results between 1995 and 2018. The final meta-analysis included data from 37 relevant studies that reported SJFT results from 51 individual samples of 515 senior and 209 junior male athletes. The combined mean and SD for SJFT variables were calculated, and the Cohen’s d effect size with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the senior and junior age classifications were compared. Senior athletes demonstrated higher total number of throws (d = 0.41, CI = 0.25–0.57, p <0.001) and heart rate (HR) immediately after the SJFT (d = 0.18, CI = 0.02–0.35, p = 0.025) with limited differences for HR one minute after the SJFT between groups. The SJFT index was lower for seniors compared to juniors (d = 0.38, CI = 0.22–0.54, p <0.001) indicating better overall performance by the more advanced athletes. Percentile rankings were used to develop SJFT classificatory tables for male senior and junior judo athletes. Training staff can use the age group classifications in the evaluation process of their athletes and for the purpose of monitoring training.