Vertical Jump Performance and Isokinetic Torque Discriminate Advanced and Novice Judo Athletes

This study aimed to analyze neuromuscular variables (vertical jump and torque in external/internal shoulder rotation) in advanced and novice judo athletes, and to identify which neuromuscular variables allow for discrimination between them. Thirty male judo athletes participated in this study: 19 novice and 11 advanced athletes. The judo athletes performed the external/internal shoulder rotation in an isokinetic dynamometer and the countermovement jump on a force platform. Student’s t-test and the discriminant analysis were used, with the level of significance set at 5%. The main results showed that the advanced judo athletes presented higher jump height (p=.03) and power output (p=.02) compared to the novice athletes. In addition, internal shoulder rotation peak torque was higher in the advanced judokas compared to the novice judokas (p=.04), and the ratio between external rotation torque and internal rotation torque was higher in the novice judokas compared to the advanced judokas (p=.006). In this discriminant function, the variables with higher discriminatory power were (in descending order): jump height, internal shoulder peak torque, and ratio between peak torques. The results of the present study demonstrated that advanced judo athletes presented better performance in vertical jump, internal shoulder isokinetic torque, and ratio between external/ internal isokinetic torques than novice athletes. The variables used to discriminate between advanced and novice judokas may provide coaches with a guide for sport-specific training needs.