Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training on stable versus unstable surfaces on strength performance in young judokas. Methods: The study included 18 young judokas (age: 13.2 ± 1.2 years) with 4.7 years of training experience assigned to either the URT (unstable resistance training) group or the STG (stable resistance training) group. Both groups performed the bench press and squat exercise for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week, 30–40 min each), with one group performing on the stable surface and the other on the unstable surface. The tests included the 1RM bench press and squat, maximal power output during bench press and squat (Pmax), abdominal strength test (AB60), and the standing long jump (SLJ). Results: Statistical analyses revealed a group × time interaction for AB60 (p < 0.02) in favor of the URT group. Significant main effects of time (p < 0.01) for the 1RM bench press, 1RM squat, bench press power, AB60, and SLJ were found. There were no significant effects for squat maximal power in both groups (p ˃ 0.05). Conclusions: Both unstable and stable resistance training effectively improved maximal strength and performance in adolescent judokas, with unstable training offering additional benefits in abdominal strength.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) effect on recovery in high-level judokas. Methods: The sample of participants consisted of 10 male judokas (Age = 20 ± 2.1 years) who are judo masters (black belt holders) with a minimum of 10 years of training and competition experience. The study was designed as a double-blinded crossover design with the order of treatments being randomly assigned. The washout period was 72 h. All subjects received a dose of sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg body weight) or a placebo 120 min before the fatigue caused by the special judo fitness test (SJFT). Lactate concentration (LC), countermovement jump (CMJ), hand grip strength and degree of perceived fatigue on Borg’s scale (RPE) were tested two times before SJFT and four times after SJFT. Results: There was no interaction between groups and type of recovery at any time during the two types of recovery for RPE, grip strength, VJ and lactate concentration (p > 0.05). However, there was a main effect of time for dominant grip strength (F_(1,8)= 3.3; p = 0.01; η² = 0.25, (small)), non-dominant grip strength (F_(1,8) = 3.2; p = 0.01; η² = 0.24, (small)), CMJ (F_(1,8) = 8.8; p = 0.01; η² = 0.47, (small)), and LC (F_(1,8) = 124.2; p = 0.001; η² = 0.92, (moderate)). Conclusions: The results of the present study show no significant difference between the NaHCO3 and placebo groups in RPE, handgrip strength, CMJ, and lactate concentration.

This study aimed to determine the influence of body composition on the muscle fitness of selected judokas. This study was conducted on a sample of 23 judokas (cadets n = 12, juniors n = 11), members of the male national team of Serbia. The assessment of body composition was performed using the InBody 720 (Biospace Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and calipers. Muscle fitness was assessed using “Optojump” (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), Fitrodine Premium (Fitronic, Bratislava, Slovakia), and a digital force instrument IMADA Z2H-1100 (Imada Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA). Regression analysis revealed a notable association between muscle mass and measures of explosive strength (countermovement jump (CMJ) p = 0.023; drop jump (DJ) p = 0.026). Moreover, this study’s results showed that back extension (p = 0.006; R² = 0.61) and hand grip (p = 0.009; R² = 0.52) provide a strong positive association with muscle mass. The findings suggest that tailored training and nutritional strategies that improve muscle mass might significantly enhance muscle fitness in young judokas, optimizing their performance.

This cross-sectional study examined parents’ attitudes, their support, and perceptions of school involvement in school sports using a newly developed Parental Attitudes and Support for School Sports and Perceptions of School Involvement Questionnaire (PASSIQ). The study also examined the association between parents' gender and children's sports participation concerning these attitudes and support levels. A total of 380 parents were included in the study, with 341 valid responses analyzed. Our findings indicate that higher levels of parental support are strongly associated with more positive attitudes toward school sports (p < 0.001). While perceptions of school support showed a marginally significant positive relationship (p = 0.083), extended participation in sports was generally associated with lower parental attitudes, potentially reflecting concerns about burnout or shifting perceptions over time. Notably, the interaction between parents' gender and children's sports participation revealed that for male parents, extended sports participation of their children significantly enhanced positive attitudes toward school sports (p = 0.004). These results highlight the importance of considering parental support and gender-specific responses when developing strategies to promote positive attitudes and support for school sports. The PASSIQ proved to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing these constructs, providing a foundation for future research and interventions to foster supportive environments for children's physical activity.

Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic or particle radiation that has sufficient energy to cause ionization of atoms. The effects of radiation depend on the energy and type of radiation, the matter through which the radiation passes, the radiation dose and the phase of the cell cycle. The nature of ionizing radiation contributes to the importance of the topic of radiological examinations of pregnant women, i.e. the possible risk for pregnancy and the fetus. The risk of fetal damage depends on the absorbed dose of radiation and the stage of pregnancy. The risk is highest during organogenesis and in the early fetal period, it is slightly lower in the second trimester and the lowest during the third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this review article is to present the dilemmas and ethical problems faced by clinicians and pregnant women in everyday radiological practice. The radiologist is obliged to inform the patient about the planned procedure, the way it is performed and possible complications, but communicating the diagnosis and proposing therapy, if necessary, should be the responsibility of the doctor who referred the patient for examination. When considering the use of radiation in pregnant women, the International Commission on Radiological Protection advises that the fetus be considered a member of the general population and that general radiation dose limits apply. Accordingly, in evaluating the risks and benefits of medical radiation exposure, two persons must be considered, the mother and child. When everything is taken into account, the risk of a radiological examination for the pregnant woman and the fetus, i.e. the relationship between the benefit and the risk is assessed in relation to each individual case separately, in agreement between the doctor, the pregnant woman and other interested persons.

The aim of this study is to establish if there is a correlation between body composition and the functional abilities of judokas selected for the national team.The sample consisted of the extended male judo national team of Serbia - 25 judokas in under-18 and under-21 age categories. The subjects were aged 15 to 21. The weight categories ranged from 50 to 100 kg.The body composition of the subjects was assessed by using the InBody 720 body composition analyzer. To determine the functional abilities, a special judo fitness test and the shuttle run test were used. Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between the body composition test and the group of functional ability tests. The canonical correlation analysis revealed that there is a statistically significant correlation between body composition and functional abilities, but no statistically significant correlation between body composition and anaerobic capacity was found.The results obtained in the study can be used as guidelines for more efficient programming of the training process, with special emphasis on individual work. They can also be used for comparison with other similar studies for the given age categories and can serve as a good basis for broader selection within judo.