The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of “Kangeiko” in kendo with relation to changes in condition and aerobic capacity during Kangeiko, as special practice of kendo in winter, accomplished in a college kendo team. The Kangeiko was performed for 2 hours from 5: 00 to 7: 00 am., and was continued for 10 days in January in 1992 and 1994. Its main practices consisted of “Kirikaeshi” and “Kakarigeiko” for 30-40 minutes by the interval training form, and “Gokakugeiko” for about 30 minutes. We studied the condition of 39 college kendo players who participated in Kangeiko in 1992. They were instructed to record their physical, technical, mental, and total conditions with 5-point rating scale numbered from 1 to 5 (1; very bad,2; bad,3; commonly,4; good,5; very good). In 1994, we evaluated aerobic capacity (VO2 max) of 20 college kendo players before and after Kangeiko using multistage fitness test. They recorded their aerobic training program before Kangeiko, physical condition during and after Kangeiko with the same 5-point rating scale, and their life style for 2 days after Kangeiko. Although most of the physical, technical, mental, and total conditions did not improve during Kangeiko, some conditions such as muscle soreness, sleep, and endurance were significantly improved during Kangeiko for the players who have ever participated Kangeiko. Individual differences were observed in changes in aerobic capacity after Kangeiko, although the aerobic capacity was significantly decreased 3days after Kangeiko. In the players, whose aerobic capacity was decreased morethan 5% 3 days after Kangeiko, the aerobic capacity was remained at a significantly low level 3 months after Kangeiko. There was no significant difference in physical condition during and after Kangeiko between the players whose aerobic capacity was decreased and not. Most of the players did not carry out aerobic training before Kangeiko. There was a case of inadequate life style among the players whose aerobic capacity was remarkably decreased 3 days after Kangeiko. We concluded that changes in condition and aerobic capacity during Kangeiko would be influenced by condition before Kangeiko, experience, training load and program of Kangeiko, and life style after Kangeiko.
