Criterion Validity, Reliability and Usefulness of a Judo-Specific Maximal Aerobic Power Test.

PURPOSE: To evaluate criterion validity, reliability and usefulness of a test to measure maximal aerobic power using judo-specific movements (UKtest). METHODS: 12 judokas performed five graded exercise tests (GETs) in 4 sessions. In sessions 1 and 2, upper-body (UBtest), lower-body (LBtest) and familiarization UKtest. GETs were randomly performed and separated by at least 48 hours. In sessions 3 and 4, test and retest UKtest were performed (7-day apart). For all GETs, peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak), maximal heart rate (HRmax), peak blood lactate concentration ([Lapeak]), maximal aerobic intensity and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Another group of 12 judokas performed the UKtest and one confirmation test (20-min after the UKtest), at 105% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) until exhaustion, to confirm if maximal responses were achieved. RESULTS: V̇O2peak did not differ (P>.05) between UKtest (46.04±5.34 mL.kg-1.min-1) and LBtest (44.78±5.98 mL.kg-1.min-1), but was higher (P<.05) than UBtest (37.03±7.16 mL.kg-1.min-1). Total duration (551±60s) and [Lapeak] (7.10±1.76 mmol.L-1) in the UKtest were different (P<.05) from UBtest (416±47s, 9.93±2.15 mmol.L-1, respectively) and LBtest (433±54s, 10.29±2.23 mmol.L-1, respectively). Very large relationships between V̇O2peak in UKtest with UBtest (r=0.78, P=.003) and LBtest (r=0.87, P<.001) were found. Maximal values were achieved for the UKtest V̇O2peak, HRmax, [Lapeak], RPE and MAS, with no difference between test and retest (P>.05). In addition, very large intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the V̇O2peak (ICC=0.86), HRmax (ICC=0.90) and MAS (ICC=0.81) were found. CONCLUSIONS: UKtest can be considered a valid, reliable and useful test to measure maximal aerobic power using judo-specific movements.