MATCH-RELATED PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR AND U23 JUDO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP:
INFLUENCE OF COVID-2019 PANDEMIC
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the match-related performance
(scores and penalties) of the athletes in the Junior EJC (European Judo
Championship) and U23 EJC categories before and immediately after the
Covid-19 quarantine, according to sex and weight category groups. Our
sample was based on the junior and U23, male and females, 2019-2020
Junior European Judo Championships and 2019-2020 U23 European Judo
Championships. A total of 1431 matches in these tournaments were
analysed: male (n=812) and female (n=619). The main findings of this
study showed that most matches in both the male and female categories
resulted in ippon (2019-2020 average: 64,35% for Junior male, 70,55%
for U23 male and 69,3% for Junior female, 64,4% for U23 female). No
significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between
sex and age groups concerning the match scores. In the formation phase
of the technique, considerations of high- and low-intensity actions, and
analysis of the speed of athletes during matches in official
competitions can help to better understand the dynamics of the
variability of movements in judo matches. In addition, suggestions are
presented to be applied to athletes in different age categories who are
on the way to become Olympic athletes.