Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Somatotype analysis of elite judo athletes compared with nonathletes for health science research

Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences volume 6, pages 99–105 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to show the somatotype and physical characteristic differences between elite judo athletes and nonathletes. The differences between the weight categories for athletes were also examined. In this study, we observed forty elite judo athletes and forty non-athletes. The participants were measured with the modified somatotype method of Heath-Carter, resulting in three kinds of somatotypes, and a balanced type. The nonathletes consisted of nine endomorphic, thirteen mesomorphic, ten ectomorphic, and eight central types. The judo athletes consisted of only mesomorphic types. Subdividing the judo athletes’ somatotypes resulted in twenty endomorphic mesomorphs, twelve balanced mesomorphs, five ectomorphic mesomorphs, and two mesomorph (one ectomorph and one mesomorph) endomorph types, respectively. Judo athletes had higher weights, body mass indexes, and mesomorphic component values than the nonathletes did. However, the athletes’ endomorphic and ectomorphic components were lower than in the nonathletes. Furthermore, judo athletes also tended to fall into a higher weight category, the higher the value of the endomorphic component and the lower the value of the ectomorphic component were. In addition, the −60-−90 kg weight categories were shown to have similar characteristics in terms of somatotype components. However, the −100-+100 kg weight categories were shown to vary more in terms of a higher value for the endomorphic component and a lower value for the ectomorphic component than the lower categories did. The data from this study provides in part physical characteristics of elite judo athletes that can be used to establish a reference for systemic study of sports health sciences.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Fukuda, D. H. et al. The effects of tournament preparation on anthropometric and sport-specific performance measures in youth judo athletes. J. Strength Cond. Res. 27, 331–339 (2013).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Pocecco, E. et al. Injuries in judo: a systematic literature review including suggestions for prevention. Br. J. Sports Med. 47, 1139–1143 (2013).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kamitani, T. et al. Catastrophic head and neck injuries in judo players in Japan from 2003 to 2010. Am. J. Sports Med. 41, 1915–1921 (2013).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Franchini, E. et al. Anthropometrical profile of elite Spanish Judoka: Comparative analysis among ages. Arch. Budo. 7, 239–245 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Franchini, E. et al. Physiological profiles of elite judo athletes. Sports Med. 41, 147–166 (2011).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Franchini, E., Artioli, G. G. & Brito, C. J. Judo combat: time-motion analysis and physiology. Int. J. Perform. Anal. Sport. 13, 624–641 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Green, C. M. Injuries among judokas during competition. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports. 17, 205–210 (2007).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Jagiello, W. Differentiation of the body build In judo competitors of the men’s Polish national team. Arch. Budo. 9, 117–125 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Walker, R. N. & Tanner, J. M. Prediction of adult Sheldon somatotypes I and II from ratings and measurements at childhood ages. Ann. Hum. Biol. 7, 213–224 (1980).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Carter, J. E. The somatotypes of athletes-a review. Hum. Biol. 42, 535–569 (1970).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Heath, B. H. & Carter, J. E. A comparison of somatotype methods. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 24, 87–99 (1966).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Heath, B. H. & Carter, J. E. A modified somatotype method. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 27, 57–74 (1967).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Heath, B. H. & Carter, J. E. Growth and somatotype patterns of Manus children, territory of Papua and New Guinea: application of a modified somatotype method to the study of growth patterns. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 35, 49–67 (1971).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Charzewski, J., Glaz, A. & Kuzmicki, S. Somatotype characteristics of elite European wrestlers. Biol. Sport. 8, 213–221 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Krawczyk, B., Sklad, M. & Jackiewicz, A. Heath-carter somatotypes of athletes representing various sports. Biol. Sport. 14, 243–250 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lewandowska, J. et al. Somatotype variables related to muscle torque and power in judoists. J. Hum. Kinet. 30, 21–28 (2011).

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Almansba, R. et al. Anthropometrical and physiological profiles of the Algerian Olympic judoists. Arch. Budo. 6, 185–193 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Franchini, E. et al. Physical fitness and anthropometrical differences between elite and non-elite judo players. Biol. Sport. 22, 315–328 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Noh, J. W., Kim, J. H. & Kim, J. Somatotype analysis of Korean wrestling athletes compared with non-athletes for sports health sciences. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 5, 163–168 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sterkowicz-Przybycień, K. L., Sterkowicz, S. & Zarów, R. T. Somatotype, body composition and proportionality in polish top greco-roman wrestlers. J. Hum. Kinet. 28, 141–154 (2011).

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Andreato, L. V. et al. Morphological profile of Brazilian jiu-jitsu elite athletes. Rev. Bras. Med. Esporte. 8, 46–50 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Noh, J. W., Kim, J. H. & Kim, J. Somatotype analysis of elite taekwondo athletes compared with non-athletes for sports health sciences. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 5, 189–196 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Fritzsche, J. & Raschka, C. Sports anthropological investigations on somatotypology of elite karateka. Anthropol. Anz. 65, 317–329 (2007).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Koropanovski, N. et al. Anthropometric and physical performance profiles of elite karate kumite and kata competitors. J. Hum. Kinet. 30, 107–114 (2011).

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Thomas, S. G. et al. Physiological profiles of the Canadian national judo team. Can. J. Sport Sci. 14, 142–147 (1989).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kim, J. H. et al. Change of muscular activity and dynamic stability of the knee joint due to excessive and repetitive jumping or cutting by female athletes. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 24, 715–719 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kim, J. H. et al. Differences in body components and the significance of rehabilitation for taekwondo athletes compared to nonathletes. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 4, 203–208 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Noh, J. W. et al. Somatotype analysis of elite Boxing athletes compared to non-athletes for sports physiotherapy. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. (in press).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Health Science & Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Yongin, 449-714, Korea

    Ji-Woong Noh & Ju-Hyun Kim

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health & Welfare, Yongin University, Yongin, 449-714, Korea

    Junghwan Kim

Authors
  1. Ji-Woong Noh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ju-Hyun Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Junghwan Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junghwan Kim.

Additional information

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Noh, JW., Kim, JH. & Kim, J. Somatotype analysis of elite judo athletes compared with nonathletes for health science research. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 6, 99–105 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-014-0193-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-014-0193-x

Keywords

search

Navigation