Abstract - Eight weeks of progressive pre-competition training has positive effects on physical performance and mental stability in junior judokas
Background. Competition-specific training programs must consider both the physical benefits and their effects on pre-competition psychological mental stability.
Aim. To analyse the effects of applying a pre-competition judo training program on the level of pre-competition psychological stability (SCAT) and special judo fitness test (SJFT) in junior athletes.
Methods. Sixteen male junior judokas (17±1.4 years; 8±2.2 years of judo experience) participated in an 8-week training program. The program-controlled variables included volume and load intensity, Stagnos’ Training Impulse indicators and perceived exertion. SJFT was used to determine a specific level of fitness in pre- and post-training judo. The Sports Competition Anxiety Test was used to assess the level of pre-competition anxiety and mental stability before the training program and before the first combat in a competition. A control group participated in normal training sessions.
Results. The intensity of the load gradually increased during the microcycles (70-90% of the maximum load), allowing an increase in aerobic capacities, a positive adaptation to training loads and an increase in physical performance. As the competition approached, the training content approached the effort-pause ratio required in a competition (90-100% of the maximum load; pause:20 seconds after-repetitions; 60 seconds after-series). This training program showed statistically significant improvements in the SJFT (13.4±0.3 pretraining vs. 12.7±0.4 posttraining; p<0.001) and the state of psychological preparation (20.4±3.6 pretraining vs. 19±1.4 post-training, p<0.001), which did not occur in the control group.
Conclusions. The proposed training program had a positive effect on the mental stability and specific performance of junior judokas.