title: Muscle torque and its relation to technique, tactics, sports level and age group in judo contestants.
abstract: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of maximal muscle torques at individual stages of development of athletes and to determine the relationship between muscle torques, fighting methods and the level of sports performance. The activity of 25 judo contestants during judo combats and the effectiveness of actions were evaluated. Maximum muscle torques in flexors/extensors of the body trunk, shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints were measured. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05; for multiple comparisons the Mann-Whitney U test, p≤0.016, was used. Intergroup differences in relative torques in five muscle groups studied (elbow extensors, shoulder flexors, knee flexors, knee extensors, hip flexors) were not significant. In cadets, relative maximum muscle torques in hip extensors correlated with the activity index (Spearman's r=0.756). In juniors, maximum relative torques in elbow flexors and knee flexors correlated with the activity index (r=0.73 and r=0.76, respectively). The effectiveness of actions correlated with relative maximum torque in elbow extensors (r=0.67). In seniors, the relative maximum muscle torque in shoulder flexors correlated with the activity index during the second part of the combat (r=0.821).
authors.affiliation: Department of Theory of Sport and Kinesiology, University School of Physical Education Al. Jana Pawla II, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lech
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, University School of Physical Education, Cracow, Al. Jana Pawla II, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wiesław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chwała
authors.affiliation: Department of Gymnastics and Dance, University School of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawla II, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ambroży
authors.affiliation: Department of Theory of Sport and Kinesiology, University School of Physical Education Al. Jana Pawla II, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sterkowicz
keywords: cadets; course of judo combat; juniors; martial arts; maximum muscle force; seniors