NCT06997783

Acute Effects of Moderate and Maximal Squat Loading on Ju-do-Specific Performance in Elite Judokas

Acute Effects of Moderate and Maximal Squat Loading

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will investigate the acute effects of two squat-based post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols-moderate load (80% of 6RM) and maximal load (100% of 1RM)-on judo-specific performance in elite male judokas. A total of 20 national-level male judokas will participate in a randomized, counterbalanced protocol across a 3-week period. Each participant will complete standard and experimental warm-up sessions followed by the Special Judo Fitness Test. Outcome measures will include total throws, immediate and 1-minute post-exercise heart rates, and the performance index. The study aims to determine the optimal PAPE intensity for enhancing performance while minimizing fatigue in combat sport athletes.

Detailed description

This study will examine the acute effects of two different squat-based post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols on judo-specific performance in elite male judokas. The purpose is to identify an optimal loading strategy that enhances performance without inducing excessive fatigue, which is critical for pre-competition preparation in combat sports. A total of 20 male judokas with at least two years of competitive experience at the national level will be recruited. Participants will undergo three different warm-up conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order over a 3-week period: A standard warm-up (SWU) based on typical judo routines A moderate-load PAPE warm-up (80% of 6-repetition maximum) A maximal-load PAPE warm-up (100% of 1-repetition maximum) Each warm-up session will last approximately 25 minutes. After each warm-up, participants will perform the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), which assesses anaerobic capacity, throwing ability, and recovery. Outcome measures will include the number of total throws, immediate and 1-minute post-test heart rate, and the SJFT performance index. It is expected that the moderate-load (80%) PAPE protocol will yield the greatest improvements in judo-specific performance, offering a better balance between muscle potentiation and fatigue than the maximal-load (100%) or standard warm-up conditions. These findings will inform practical warm-up strategies for combat sport athletes aiming to enhance performance immediately before competition.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	warm up	1. Standard Warm-Up (SWU): This condition will involve a typical judo-specific warm-up protocol lasting approximately 25 minutes. 2. Moderate-Load PAPE Warm-Up (80% of 6RM): This experimental warm-up condition will consist of the same initial exercises as the SWU, followed by the addition of a moderate-load squat-based PAPE protocol. 3. Maximal-Load PAPE Warm-Up (100% of 1RM): This condition will also begin with the same general and judo-specific exercises as the SWU, followed by a high-intensity PAPE protocol: 1-2 sets of a single repetition of back squats at 100% of the participant's 1-repetition maximum (1RM).

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-10
• Primary completion: 2024-05-10
• Completion: 2024-06-10
• First posted: 2025-05-30
• Last updated: 2025-05-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)