High intensity interval training for the enhancement of the aerobic fitness in elite judo athletes

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to test the effects of 12 weeks of training in a selected group of elite male (M) and female (F) judo athletes during the 2012 winter preparation, in which the training phase was divided in 6 weeks of standard judo training and 6 weeks of an aerobic training protocol specifically planned for judo athletes. Method: Eleven subjects (7 M and 4 F; age 20  4 yrs; body mass 69  2 kg; height 172  7 cm; practice 13  6 yrs; weekly training volume 13  5 hours, mean  SD) underwent two different tests before and after the training period. The V ̇O2max and Ventilatory Threshold (VT; V-slope method) were assessed during a graded maximal treadmill test. The anaerobic lactic capacity during specific movements was assessed with Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). Post-V ̇O2max blood lactate peak was also measured. Results: At the end of the training program the τ of the HR and of the V ̇O2 recovery significantly decreased respectively of 17.3% (p=0.04) and 22.0% (p=0.0009). No significant changes were detected in V ̇O2max with respect to the baseline values. On the other hand, the maximal speed reached during the maximal aerobic power test was significantly higher (p=0.04). Moreover, VT increased significantly on average by 6.6% (p=0.03). Finally SJFT Index improved significantly by 12% (p<0.0001) after training. Conslusion: The results obtained could provide practical indications to coaches and trainers on the opportunity of using more specific training programs capable of enhancing general and specific characteristics in these athletes in accordance with their metabolic profile.