Developmental Responses to Structured Training Loads in Competitive Youth Judo

Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 07 15
    By

    Vansh Julka,

  • Anulekha Dey,

  1. Student, Department of Physical Education, Amity School Physical Education and Sports Science, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Amity School Physical Education and Sports Science, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of a planned and regulated training-load structure on the physical and technical growth of elite youth Judoka aged 10 to 16. A four-week training program progressively modified the key variables of training intensity, frequency, and volume to support performance development while avoiding over-fatigue and injury. Ten athletes participated with performance assessed before and after training using tests for Muscular endurance, Core stability, Lower body explosive power, Uchikomi execution speed, Grip strength, Qualitative ratings of Tachi-waza and Ne-waza skills. The post-training data showed improvement across every measured indicator, confirming positive adaptations in strength, power, movement efficiency, and technical execution. Athletes at all experience levels, from those with higher baseline scores to those with lower initial values, showed meaningful enhancement, demonstrating the benefit of systematic load control. The results emphasize that well-designed, age-appropriate training-load management promotes safe, sustainable development while boosting performance in youth Judo athletes. Athletes who entered the program with higher baseline scores, such as participants B and H continued to display improvement, indicating that the training plan was challenging enough to stimulate adaptation even among more experienced Judoka. At the same time, athletes who started with comparatively lower baseline values, such as D and I also showed marked enhancements in performance.

Keywords: Age-appropriate training, elite judoka, movement efficiency, ne-waza, physical development, progressive overload, psychomotor development, randori, skill acquisition, technical development

[This article belongs to Recent Trends in Sports ]

How to cite this article:
Vansh Julka, Anulekha Dey. Developmental Responses to Structured Training Loads in Competitive Youth Judo. Recent Trends in Sports. 2026; 03(01):07-15.
How to cite this URL:
Vansh Julka, Anulekha Dey. Developmental Responses to Structured Training Loads in Competitive Youth Judo. Recent Trends in Sports. 2026; 03(01):07-15. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rts/article=2026/view=238708


References

  1. McCambridge TM, Stricker PR. Strength training by children and adolescents. In: American Academy of Pediatrics, editor. Pediatrics. 1st edition. Elk Grove Village, USA: AAP Publishing; 2008. pp. 835–840.
  2. Balyi I, Way R, Higgs C. Long-term athlete development. In: Balyi I, editor. Long-term Athlete Development. 1st edition. Champaign, USA: Human Kinetics; 2013. pp. 5–18.
  3. Buchheit M, Laursen PB. High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle: Part I: cardiopulmonary emphasis. In: Laursen PB, editor. Sports Medicine. 1st edition. Auckland, New Zealand: Adis International; 2013. pp. 313–338.
  4. Engebretsen L, Soligard T, Steffen K, Alonso JM, Aubry M, Budgett R, Dvorak J, Jegathesan M, Meeuwisse WH, Mountjoy M, Palmer-Green D. Sports injuries and illnesses during the London Summer Olympic Games 2012. In: International Olympic Committee, editor. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 1st edition. London, UK: BMJ Group; 2013. pp. 407–414.
  5. Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C. A new approach to monitoring exercise training. In: NSCA, editor. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 1st edition. Colorado Springs, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001. pp. 109–115.
  6. Gabbett TJ. The training—injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder?. In: Gabbett TJ, editor. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 1st edition. London, UK: BMJ Group; 2016. pp. 273–280.
  7. Ahmedov F. Judo Combat: Time-Motion Analysis and Biomechanical Approach. In: IJF, editor. IJF Academy. 1st edition. Lausanne, Switzerland: IJF Academy; 2021. pp. 1–150.
  8. Jones L. Judo Kata: Practice, Competition, Purpose. In: Jones L, editor. Judo Kata. 1st edition. Santa Clara, USA: Via Media Publishing; 2016. pp. 1–250.
  9. Bergeron MF, Mountjoy M, Armstrong N, Chia M, Coté J, Emery CA, Faigenbaum A, Hall G, Kriemler S, Léglise M, Malina RM. International Olympic Committee consensus statement on youth athletic development. In: IOC, editor. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 1st edition. London, UK: BMJ Group; 2015. pp. 843–851.
  10. Kano J. Jigoro Kano: The father of judo. In: Japan Judo Education Association, editor. Jigoro Kano: The Father of Judo – Historical Biography, Pedagogical Philosophy, and Institutional Legacy of Kodokan Judo. 1st edition. Tokyo, Japan: Kodokan Archives Press; 1986. pp. 1–300.
  11. Kano J, Murata N. Mind over muscle: Writings from the founder of judo. In: Murata N, editor. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. 1st edition. Leon, Spain: Universidad de León; 2005. pp. 89.
  12. Warner D. Skill Acquisition for Judo: Principles Into Practice. In: Warner D, editor. Skill Acquisition for Judo. 1st edition. London, UK: Routledge; 2024. pp. 1–280.
  13. Kraemer W. Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. In: Kraemer W, editor. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 1st edition. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004. pp. 674–688.
  14. Jones L. Judo Kata: Practice, Competition, Purpose. In: Jones L, editor. Judo Kata: Practice, Competition, Purpose. 2nd edition. Santa Clara, USA: Via Media Publishing; 2016. pp. 1–260.
  15. Mifune K. The Canon of Judo: classic teachings on principles and techniques. In: Mifune K, editor. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. 1st edition. Leon, Spain: Universidad de León; 2004. pp. 91.
  16. Faigenbaum AD, Kraemer WJ, Blimkie CJ, Jeffreys I, Micheli LJ, Nitka M, Rowland TW. Youth resistance training: updated position statement paper from the national strength and conditioning association. In: NSCA, editor. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 1st edition. Colorado Springs, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009. pp. 60–79.
  17. Verhoshansky Y, Siff M. Supertraining. In: Siff M, editor. Supertraining. 6th edition. Rome, Italy: Ultimate Athlete Concepts; 2009. pp. 1–500.
  18. Mazzola D. The gentle way. Maximising efficacy and minimizing violence in judo. In: Mazzola D, editor. The Philosophical Journal of Conflict and Violence. 1st edition. Paris, France: PJCV; 2018. pp. 282–304.
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 11/02/2026
Accepted 13/02/2026
Published 19/02/2026
Publication Time 8 Days
75

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics