Effect of uchi-komi prescribed as high-intensity interval training on Judo athletes

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of a period of training performing uchi-komi prescribed as high-intensity interval training on the performance of judo athletes. Method: Twenty judo athletes performed uchi-komi prescribed as high-intensity interval training (HIT; n = 10) or auto-oriented uchi-komi (control; n = 10). The judo athletes participated in three sessions (60 min for day) of Judo training per week, totalizing 18 sessions in six weeks. High-intensity interval training was performed with 30 s of entry to judo technique (all-out) and 15 s of rest, two times per week for six weeks. Athletes performed eight repetitions of high-intensity interval training in the first week, 10 repetitions in the second and third weeks, and 12 repetitions in the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks. Pre and post training, athletes performed the Countermovement jump, Isometric judogi chin-up (isometric test), and Special judo fitness test. Results: Special judo fitness test and isometric test showed interaction (p<0.01). Both the Control (p<0.01) and HIT groups (p<0.01) demonstrated improvement in the Special judo fitness test and isometric test. The Special judo fitness test presented a difference between groups at post (p<0.01) but not pre (p= 0.06). The isometric test presented a difference between groups at pre (p= 0.03) and post (p<0.01). Countermovement jump did not demonstrate interaction (p<0.77). Conclusions: Training using uchi-komi prescribed as HIT improved performance in the Special judo fitness test and isometric test, without changing power in the lower limbs of judo athletes.