Abstract

Seven Finnish judoists competing at international (A), seven at national (B) and seven at recreational (G) level volunteered for the examination of their one repetition maximums (1 RM) and the force-velocity curves of the upper and lower extremities. The primary findings were very much as expected, so that in the squat jump test the 1 RM (185 kp) and the entire force-velocity curve in Group A was positioned higher, while the 1 RM (140 kp) and the curve in Group C was lower than the respective values (1 RM=166 kp) in Group B. When the maximal force values were related to body weight, the value of 2.3 kp/kg in the 1 RM in Group A differed still significantly (P<0.05) from that of 1.7 kp/kg recorded in the squat for Group C. However, in the bench press the corresponding curves in Group A and B were rather similar and the 1 RMs were equal (96.4 kp). The present findings for the lower extremities could be caused by qualitative differences in strength and in explosive strength and/or sport specific training over the years. The data also indicate that the demands of judo obviously differ from one muscle group to another. Verf.-Referat