The present article briefly reviews the weight loss processes in combat sports. We aimed to discuss the most relevant aspects of rapid weight loss (RWL) in combat sports.

The understanding of time-motion and physiological responses to judo combat is important to training organization. This review was based on search results using the following terms: “judo and competition”, “judo and physiology”, “judo and randori”, and “judo and time-motion analysis”, “judo and combat”, “judo and match” and “judo and biochemestry”. The effort-pause ratio during judo combats is between 2:1 and 3:1, with 20s and 30s effort periods and 10s of pauses. Thus, judo combats rely on all three metabolisms, with the anaerobic alactic sytem being reponsible by the short duration powerful actions during technique applications, the anaerobic lactic system being responsible for the maintainance of high-intensity actions during longer periods (e.g., grip dispute), while the aerobic system is responsible for the recovery processes between high-intensity actions and matches. Training prescription must consider these demands and a muscle-specific action analysis may help to direct the proper approach to improve judo athletes’ performance. In general, lower-body is involved in short-term high-intensity actions during technique executions, while upper-body muscle groups are involved in both strength-endurance and power actions. As many muscle groups perform different actions during the match, a high cardiovascular demand is also observed in judo.

The present study had as objectives (1) to compare the morphological and functional characteristics of the male judo players of the Brazilian Team A (n=7) with the judo players of Teams B and C (reserves; n=15), and (2) to verify the association between the variables measured. Thus, 22 athletes from the seven Olympic weight categories were submitted to: a body composition evaluation (body mass, height, ten skinfolds, eight circumferences, three bone diameters and percent body fat estimation); the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT); maximal strength tests (one repetition-maximum, 1 RM, in bench press, row, and squat); and the Cooper test. One-way analysis of covariance was used to compare the groups. The relationships between variables were determined by the Pearson coefficient correlation. The significance level was fixed at 5%. No significant difference was found in any variable between them. The main significant correlations observed were between the following variables: VO2max and number of throws in the SJFT (r=0.79); percent body fat and estimated VO2max (r=−0.83) and number of throws in the SJFT (r=−0.70); chest circumference and bench press 1 RM (r=0.90) and in the row (r=0.80); and thigh circumference and squat 1 RM (r=0.86). However, there was no significant correlation between circumferences and 1 RM/kg of body mass. According to these results the main conclusions are: (1) the physical variables measured do not discriminate performance when analysis is directed to the best athletes; (2) a higher percent body fat is negatively correlated with performance in activities with body mass locomotion (Cooper test and the SJFT); (3) judo players with higher aerobic power performed better in high-intensity intermittent exercise; (4) judo players with bigger circumferences present bigger absolute maximal strength.