Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the temporal structure of judo bouts in visually impaired men and women (n=117 judokas in the senior category; 92 men and 25 women). We developed a data recording system based on the temporal parameters of judo and applied it to a broad sample of international bouts (n=219; 184 between men and 35 between women). The descriptive analysis of frequency of occurrence revealed that most of the bouts ended before the time-up bell sounded (81% men/74% women). Other defining features are shown in the following mean values (for men/women): the total bout time was 266/242 s; the total time paused was 158/172 s; the total time spent in standing combat was 82/54 s (P=0.008), while that of floor combat was 60/84 s (P=0.021); each bout had 6.9/5.7 paused sequences with a duration of 19.6/21.1 s, and 12.4/11.7 active sequences with a duration of 22/19.7 s. The sequential analysis by means of T-patterns (THEME) confirmed that the temporal structure of judo is not the same for men and women, thereby highlighting the need for a range of training methods matched to the needs of visually impaired competitors. Verf.-Referat