DIFFERENCES IN FAT-FREE MASS AND MUSCLE THICKNESSES AT VARIOUS SITES ACCORDING TO PERFORMANCE LEVEL AMONG JUDO ATHLETES

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 654 - 657
• Main Authors: KUBO, JUNJIRO, CHISHAKI, TAKEHARU, NAKAMURA, NATSUMI, MURAMATSU, TADASHI, YAMAMOTO, YOUSUKE, ITO, MASAMITSU, SAITOU, HITOSHI, KUKIDOME, TAKESHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Strength and Conditioning Association 01.08.2006
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology; Adipose Tissue - diagnostic imaging; Body Mass Index; Humans; Lower Extremity - anatomy & histology; Lower Extremity - diagnostic imaging; Male; Martial Arts - physiology; Models, Biological; Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography; Upper Extremity - anatomy & histology; Upper Extremity - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 1064-8011
• DOI: 10.1519/00124278-200608000-00029

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in fat-free mass and thicknesses of various muscles among judo athletes of different performance levels. The subjects were 69 male judo athletes of 3 different performance levels. Group A was composed of athletes who participated in the Olympic Games or Asian Games (n = 13). Groups B(n = 21) and C (n = 35) were composed of judo athletes at a university who did or did not participate in intercollegiate competitions (including qualifying matches), respectively. Muscle and fat thicknesses were measured by B-mode ultrasound at 9 sites. Fat percentage was calculated from fat thicknesses using a previously reported equation. Fat-free mass was calculated from fat percentage and body weight. Muscles thicknesses were normalized to the height of the individual. Group A had significantly larger fat-free mass than Group C (p < 0.05). The normalized thicknesses of the elbow extensor and flexor muscles were significantly larger in Group A than in Group C. The normalized thickness of the elbow flexor muscle was significantly larger in Group A than in Group B. The results of this study showed that judo athletes with low performance levels such as those in Group C had lower fat-free mass, and the degree of development of the brachialis muscles differed according to performance level.