Effects of successive judo matches on interlimb asymmetry and bilateral deficit

Objective: To verify the effects of successive judo matches on interlimb asymmetry and bilateral deficit in judo athletes.

Design: Repeated measures; SETTING: University Judo center.

Participants: Fourteen male judo athletes.

Outcome measures: Four simulated matches consisting of 4-min. Before the first match and after each match athletes were submitted to single leg tests - Countermovement Jump (SL_CMJ) and Standing Long Jump (SL_SLJ), and handgrip strength (HGS) in the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Interlimb asymmetry was calculated in both jumps and handgrip strength tests.

Results: Most jump-derived variables did not change the magnitude of asymmetry throughout the matches (p > 0.05), with the exception of jump height asymmetry in SL_CMJ, that increased after the second match (p = 0.001). The HGS decreased in both hands from the first match (p < 0.001), without asymmetry. The highest bilateral strength deficit was observed in post-match 1 and post-match 2 (close to 10%).

Conclusion: Four-successive judo matches did not change the magnitude of interlimb asymmetry, with exception of SL_CMJ height, which increased after the second match. The handgrip strength decreased throughout the matches, but similarly in both hands. Finally, the direction of asymmetry showed consistency throughout the matches only for SL_CMJ height.