小学5年生および6年生男女柔道選手の階級別体力測定値と追跡した競技成績

抄録

The purpose of this study was to summarize the physical fitness measurements of fifth- and sixth-grade judo players, taken from 2008 to 2019, and compare them with their subsequent results, which were tracked as much as possible. In addition, it was shown that the obtained measurements were used to provide physical fitness reference values for the new weight classes that were adapted for sixth-graders from 2020.

The subjects were 755 male and female fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school judo players, designated as certified athletes in the athlete development program by the Fukuoka Judo Association (Fukuoka Judo Club) between 2008 and 2019, of whom 653 had their physical fitness measured by annual tests. The physical fitness measurements included height, weight and body fat percentage as physical composition; muscle strength as grip strength; isometric knee extension muscle strength; sit-up ability; vertical jumping height as explosive muscle strength; rebound jumping ability; 30 meters running time; repetitive lateral jump for agility; and maximal oxygen uptake in a shuttle run as whole-body endurance.

Comparing the obtained physical fitness measurements with the tracked competition outcomes revealed that the high-power output ability of the lower limbs might be an indicator of fifth- and sixth-grade judo players’ talent. Also, “grip strength,” which is the reflection of muscle strength and muscle mass throughout the body, may be another promising factor for the players. However, weight at elementary school did not get the desired results after elementary school, suggesting that excessive weight gain was undesirable in elementary school judo players.