Current trends in the training of elite judo athletes

Abstract. Studies on the training of elite judo athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic are indispensable, in the context of observing the necessary measures and their influence on the training components to solve the specific demands of competitive activity. Similar research is being conducted in various countries to determine the impact of the pandemic on the training of judo athletes. This research aims to identify the most efficient means and methods of training and assessment in orderto remodel them. The focus is on establishing the main adaptation criteria regarding the way of conducting judo competitions in pandemic conditions, as well as the structure of the fight and its effects on technical, tactical, psychomotor and physical training. Results are statistically processed, interpreted in relation to similar studies and graphically represented. Research participants are elite judo athletes of both genders from different sports clubs, competing in the 2020-2021 Romanian National Judo Championship. The data highlight the characteristics of the fight structure, the actual combat time related to weight divisions, the efficiency of various techniques and the technical and tactical model, the penalties and the relationship with physical training. Determining the effects induced by the new pandemic conditions and training remodelling allow coaches, athletes and methodologists to effectively intervene on the use of material resources, means and methods of training and participation in competition. Conclusions are drawn regarding the characteristics of current competitions and the cause-effect relationship with the selection and training of elite judo athletes in the pandemic context of sports activity.