PHYSICAL FITNESS IN EARLY ADOLESCENT ATHLETES OF COMBAT SPORTS

Abstract

The aim of this research was to obtain reference data of early adolescent athletes of Judo, Taekwondo and Wrestling in a set of physical fitness tests, and to evaluate relationships between the tests. A battery of field tests was implemented: Handgrip strength (HAST), Abalakov, Countermovement and Squat jumps (ABJ, CMJ and SQJ), 0-10 m Sprint acceleration (0-10SA) and Sit and reach flexibility (SARF). Pearson’s r was used to assess correlations between the physical capacities. Covariance analyses were carried out to evaluate comparatively the performances in HAST, ABJ, CMJ, SQJ, 0-10SA and SARF. SARF showed negligible correlations with the rest of the tests. The differences between boys and girls seemed to remain constant across sports. The judokas and taekwondists showed higher performances ABJ, and the taekwondists revealed higher performances than the wrestlers in CMJ, SQJ and SARF.