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Developmental associations with muscle morphology, physical performance, and asymmetry in youth judo athletes

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Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluated the contributions of somatic maturity (years from estimated peak height velocity) and training experience as developmental indicators of muscle morphology, biomechanical parameters, and bilateral asymmetries in youth judo athletes.

Methods

Twenty-six judo athletes aged 8–18 years (mean ± SD; age = 12.9 ± 2.6 years, maturity offset = − 0.6 ± 2.2 years, training experience = 6.1 ± 2.9 years) completed anthropometric measurements, performance testing, and ultrasound evaluation of the vastus lateralis.

Results

Somatic maturity had the greatest relationship with handgrip performance (r2 = 0.76–0.80; p < 0.01) and lower-body plyometric ability (r2 = 0.23–0.72; p < 0.05). Somatic maturity and training experience accounted for 72% of the variance in hopping power. Bilateral asymmetries in average/peak force and 1-/2-s force–time integration during isometric handgrip increased with training experience (r2 = 0.17–0.46 p < 0.05). Muscle morphology (r2 = 0.29–0.75; p < 0.01) was best related to somatic maturity. Significant differences were found between child and adolescent judo athletes in force–time curve parameters, muscle morphology, and plyometric ability.

Conclusions

These results indicate that somatic maturity and training experience exert unique influences on muscle morphology, biomechanical parameters, and bilateral asymmetries in youth judo athletes.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Kayla M. Baker, David D. Church, Tyler W.D. Muddle, Joshua J. Riffe, and Alyssa N. Varanoske for their assistance in data collection.

Funding

Part of this work was supported by the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute under a Research Projects Grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32817, USA

    David H. Fukuda, Kyle S. Beyer, Carleigh H. Boone, Ran Wang, Michael B. La Monica, Adam J. Wells, Jay R. Hoffman & Jeffrey R. Stout

Authors
  1. David H. Fukuda
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  2. Kyle S. Beyer
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  3. Carleigh H. Boone
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  4. Ran Wang
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  5. Michael B. La Monica
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  6. Adam J. Wells
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  7. Jay R. Hoffman
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  8. Jeffrey R. Stout
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David H. Fukuda.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The protocol was approved by the University’s institutional review board (IRB#: BIO-15-11061). All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Written parental consent and verbal participant assent were attained prior to participation.

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Fukuda, D.H., Beyer, K.S., Boone, C.H. et al. Developmental associations with muscle morphology, physical performance, and asymmetry in youth judo athletes. Sport Sci Health 14, 555–562 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-018-0460-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-018-0460-3

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