Upper-body Wingate test classificatory table for adult judo athletes

The aims of this study were to compare the upper-body Wingate test performance of judo athletes from different weight categories and to create a classificatory table for this test. A total of 179 judo athletes performed an upper-body Wingate test, following standardized recommendations (30-sec duration, and a load equivalent to 0.06 kg/kg of body mass). Absolute and relative peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were determined. Weight categories were compared through a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test. The effect size was determined by partial eta squared. There was a large effect of weight category in absolute PP and MP, with lower values for the lighter categories (P<0.05), but it is important to note that absolute PP and MP did not differ (P>0.05) between subsequent weight categories. Moreover, when the relative PP and MP were considered, no significant differences were found (P>0.05). The higher values of PP and MP achieved by heavier judo athletes compared to lighter ones during the upper-body Wingate test is likely related to the higher total muscle mass presented by the first group compared to the later. Indeed, judo athletes from different weight category presented similar relative PP and MP, likely due to the judo training demands as well as consequence of a selection of athletes with the higher potential to develop upper-body anaerobic fitness. Finally, the normative classificatory table created may be useful as a reference in judo athletes’ anaerobic evaluation.