The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of EEG biofeedback training under normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions on both simple and complex reaction times in judo athletes, and to identify the optimal training frequency and environmental conditions that substantially enhance reaction times in the examined athlete groups. The study comprised 20 male judo athlete members of the Polish national judo team in the middleweight and heavyweight categories. We randomly assigned participants to an experimental group and a control group. We conducted the research over four cycles, varying the frequency of EEG biofeedback sessions and environmental circumstances for both the experimental and control groups. Every research cycle had 15 training sessions. The results showed that the experimental group, following the theta/beta regimen, got significantly faster at complex reactions after a training cycle that included sessions every other day at normal oxygen levels. Following daily training sessions in normoxic circumstances, we noted enhancements in simple reaction speeds. Under normobaric hypoxia conditions, the judo athletes showed deterioration in both simple and complex reaction times. The control group showed no similar changes. Daily EEG training in normoxic settings markedly improved simple reaction time, but EEG-BF training conducted every other day greatly raised complicated reaction time. In contrast, training under normobaric hypoxia settings did not result in enhancements in basic or complicated reaction times following EEG training.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of EEG -Biofeedback training in normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions on bench press improving in elite judo athletes. The study included 20 male elite judo athletes. Each athlete was a member of the Polish National Team and held either an International Master Class (MM) or National Master Class (M) – purposive selection. The research was carried out over two cycles that differed in the external conditions of EEG biofeedback trainings for both the control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent training under simulated hypoxic conditions The training sessions for the experimental group were conducted at a simulated altitude of 3000m above sea level. Each cycle of the study comprised of 15 training sessions. The control group's study followed the same frequency, and duration of EEG biofeedback training sessions, and demonstrated an identical pattern to that of the experimental group, but in normoxia conditions. In the discussed cycle conducted in hypoxia, a clear upward dynamics of Beta wave values with a growing trend from session 14 was observed. In normoxia, the variability in the EG group had a significantly less dynamic course. In hypoxia, a clear upward dynamics of the achieved PP values with a growing trend from measurement 14 was observed. In normoxia, the discussed measurement cycle conducted in the CG group showed a lesser upward dynamics of achieved PP values with a growing trend from measurement 10. The overall conclusion from these analyses suggests that EEG biofeedback training in hypoxic conditions may have a beneficial impact on brain activity and improvement in muscle strength and power. These results may be of significant importance for sports training and rehabilitation, especially for individuals engaged in sports disciplines requiring physical exertion in low oxygen environments.

Introduction: The immersive virtual reality (VR) might bring a new reliable approach to diagnosing motor abilities. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to check the intertrial reliability and diagnostic possibility (reaction time, movement time, lateral differences) of VR for upper limb movements in a group of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, and to evaluate whether distractors influence the complexity of the whole reaction. Material and methods: Twenty-six MMA athletes (age 27.1 ± 5.4 years, body mass 77.6 ± 9.3 kg, height 179.2 ± 5.7 cm, training experience 6.7±4.3 years) performed two reaction tests for their upper limbs (four tests were made for the ICC calculation) with wireless autonomous VR. Results: The ICC values ranged from 0.751 to 0.872 in simple reaction speed and 0.709 to 0.909 in complex reaction. No significant differences were observed between the reaction of the right and the left upper limbs. Distractors were shown to negatively affect the speed (d = 1.2) and reaction time of complex reactions (d = 1.3). Conclusions: The implemented VR measurement system allows for a reliable assessment of simple and complex reaction speed and its components (reaction time, movement time) for upper limb strikes and covers in MMA athletes. MMA reaction time of upper limbs is laterally balanced in MMA athletes. The disruptor causes a large decrease in reaction speed and prolongs the reaction time. Therefore, a test with a disruptor might have the potential to recognize performance level and athletes’ reaction abilities.

The conducted research aimed to ascertain disparities in the proficiency of appraising combat scenarios among referees varying in their officiating expertise, coaches, and judo athletes. Ninety individuals partook in the study, comprising international referees, national referees, coaches, and judo athletes. Participants were assigned the task of allotting one of six possible ratings to each presented action and categorizing it into one of the groups. A meticulous analysis reveals certain distinctions as well as resemblances in the evaluations of selected actions among referees, coaches, and athletes. A notable incongruity in the appraisal of actions was noted in the shido penalty, where referees demonstrated the most precise assessments, while coaches and athletes rated them similarly. Substantial differences were identified in the evaluation of the hansoku-make penalty, as the coaches' cohort markedly disagreed with the actions depicted in the video and failed to acknowledge that the demonstrated actions warranted the most severe penalty permissible in judo competitions, namely the disqualification of the athlete during the match. Among the three groups examined, referees exhibited the highest level of accuracy in evaluating judo actions. International referees, in comparison to national referees, demonstrated superior assessment of judo actions, and this discrepancy was statistically significant. International referees more effectively evaluated judo actions such as yuko, waza-ari, shido, ippon, and hansoku-make in comparison to union referees. In one instance, union referees exhibited superior assessment of judo actions, specifically in the case of no score actions.

Background: The aim of the study presented in this article was to conduct an analysis that would answer the research question: do personality traits such as extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, intelligence level, and ability to cope with stressful situations correlate with the assessment of judo fights? Materials and Methods: Ninety individuals participated in the study, including international-class referees, national-class referees, coaches, and active judo athletes. The study used a correlational analysis approach to examine the relationships between personality traits and fight assessment criteria in judo. Results: The results indicate that in the referees' group, there is a correlation between neuroticism (NEU) and the evaluation of shido actions (p = 0.024), hansoku-make (p = 0.019), and conscientiousness (p = 0.004) at the significance level of p < 0.050. For coaches, significant correlations were found between neuroticism and the wazari action (p = 0.031), neuroticism and the ippon action (p = 0.010), agreeableness and hansoku-make (HSM) (p = 0.047), as well as conscientiousness and ippon (p = 0.036) at the significance level of p < 0.050. In the judo athletes' group, a significant correlation was found between neuroticism and the shido action (p = 0.006), as well as extraversion with p = 0.011 at the significance level of p < 0.050. Conclusions: It can be stated that personality traits such as extraversion and conscientiousness positively affect the assessment of fights in judo, while neuroticism may have a negative impact. Both referees, coaches, and athletes prefer coping strategies focused on the task, which may be essential for control and effectiveness in their field.

Objectives: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has been explored for its potential to improve performance in combat sports. This part II of the systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the acute effects of PAPE protocols on sport-specific performance outcomes and evaluated the influence of moderating variables, specifically competitive level and training experience. Methods: A PRISMA-guided search (2010–2024) identified 13 studies examining PAPE in combat sports athletes. Inclusion criteria required human trials using defined PAPE protocols and evaluating sport-specific tests, primarily the Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT-10) and the Taekwondo-Specific Agility Test (TSAT). A random-effects meta-analysis (Hedges’ g) was conducted on data from 176 athletes. Results: The meta-analysis revealed a profound moderating effect of training status on PAPE responsiveness. For the FSKT-10, amateur athletes demonstrated large, significant improvements (g = 1.28, p < 0.001), whereas elite athletes showed trivial, non-significant changes (g = 0.11, p = 0.357). Similarly, athletes with 6 years) counterparts (g = 0.42 and g = −0.65, respectively). Furthermore, dynamic and biomechanically specific conditioning activities (e.g., repeated high-intensity techniques) were most effective at driving sport-specific potentiation. Conclusions: PAPE protocols may enhance acute sport-specific performance when utilizing dynamic, highly specific conditioning activities. However, a possible “ceiling effect” may blunt this potentiation in elite and highly experienced athletes, suggesting a potential need for highly individualized priming strategies at the top competitive levels, specifically in taekwondo.