ANTHROPOMETRIC AND BIOMOTOR VARIABLES OF JUDOKAS IN THE TURKISH

Purpose. Each sport is characterized by athletes with particular physical and biomotor attributes favoring performance in their given sport. This study aimed to identify anthropometric and biomotor variables of Turkish female judokas in national young team and also to find potential relationship between the variables. Methods. Twenty-nine female judokas (age 17.8±0.78 years, body height 163.3±6.25 cm, and body mass 67.6±14.21 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. The anthropometric variables included body mass index, body fat % and the sum of five adipose skinfolds. Somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. The biomotor variables were maximal aerobic power, lower limbs maximal muscle power (30-second Wingate and vertical jump tests), hand grip strength and flexibility of the trunk. Results. Turkish judokas showed meso-endomorphic characteristics and moderate to high body fatness, a low flexibility, a low to moderate aerobic power, a moderate anaerobic power and hand grip strength, and a high anaerobic capacity. Significant negative correlations were found between anthropometric features and biomotor abilities, except for ectomorphy. Conclusion. The young female judokas, most of competing in the heavyweight division, required to develop essential skills for judo.