2019 Volume 48 Issue 2 Pages 51-60
Motor fitness and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) of Karate and Judo athletes have been reported from different countries while pertinent data are unavailable in Indian Judo and Karate athletes. The present study was therefore aimed to evaluate the haemoglobin concentration and motor fitness of Judo and Karate athletes of Kolkata, India and also to compare the data with their control group and overseas counterparts. State level male Judo (n = 40, age: 22.61 ± 0.91 yrs) and Karate athletes (n = 40, age: 22.36 ± 0.97 yrs) were recruited in the study from different sports academies of Kolkata, India. Sedentary (n = 40) control subjects (age: 22.73 ± 0.97 yrs) were sampled from same area. Motor fitness parameters and haemoglobin were measured by standard methods. Judo and Karate athletes had significantly (p < 0.001) greater values of motor fitness parameters and haemoglobin than the sedentary control group. The study depicted that Judo and Karate training improve motor fitness and haemoglobin. It is hypothesized that training duration has close relationship with the betterment in these parameters. The present data would serve as the national standard in Eastern Indian male Judo and Karate athletes and this will also help the coaches and athletic trainers to implement more specific training for betterment of performance in these athletic populations.
