Comparison of incidence, prevalence, severity and profile of health problems between male and female elite youth judokas: A 30-week prospective cohort study of 154 athletes.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the incidence, prevalence, severity, and profile of injuries (acute and overuse) and illness between female and male youth elite judokas during 30 weeks of a sports season. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 154 elite youth judokas (83 males and 71 females) were assessed from January to August 2019 in a training period organized by the Brazilian Judo Confederation. We conducted a prospective 30-week follow-up study on acute and overuse injuries and illness among youth female and male judokas through the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center questionnaire on health problems (OSTRC-H). Every week, the OSTRC-H was sent to all youth judokas electronically, starting in the first week of preseason. The incidence rate, prevalence, and severity of illnesses and acute and overuse injuries were compared between sexes using an independent t-test (variables with normal distribution) or Mann Whitney U test (variables with non-normal distribution) with α set a 0.05. RESULTS: Female and male judokas showed 16.96 and 16.57 injuries per 1000 athletic exposures, respectively (p = 0.383). Female judokas showed a higher average weekly prevalence of health problems (38.8%) than male judokas (29.0%). In addition, females had a greater prevalence of substantial health problems (p < 0.001), injuries (p < 0.001), and overuse injuries (p < 0.001) than males. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in the incidence rate of injuries between sexes. Youth female judokas showed a higher prevalence of all health problems than youth male judokas. For both sexes, the knee and shoulder were the most affected joints for acute and overuse injuries, respectively.

Normative reference values for handgrip strength, shoulder and ankle range of motion and upper-limb and lower limb stability for 137 youth judokas of both sexes.

OBJECTIVES: To provide reference values for handgrip strength, shoulder and ankle range of motion (ROM) and upper-limb and lower limb stability for youth judokas of both sexes and investigate the effects of sex and side dominance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: A total of 137 youth judokas from under-18 (n=60) and under-21 (n=77) categories of both sexes were assessed. Handgrip strength was assessed using a Jamar dynamometer, ankle ROM was measured by lunge test, shoulder ROM was assessed by an inclinometer and upper-limb and lower limb stability were assessed by the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test and by the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). RESULTS: In both categories, males had greater handgrip strength. In the under-18 category, the dominant side had greater handgrip strength, the non-dominant side of females had smaller shoulder external rotation ROM than the dominant side and also than both sides of males, and females had greater shoulder IR ROM. In the under-21 category, the dominant side of females had greater ankle dorsiflexion ROM than the dominant side of males, the dominant sides and females had greater shoulder ER ROM, and males had better performance in the mSEBT. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided reference values for handgrip strength, shoulder and ankle ROM, upper and lower limb stability for youth judokas, which can be used to guide assessment during preseason. Sex influenced on shoulder ER and IR ROM, handgrip strength and lower limb stability. In addition, side dominance influenced on shoulder ER ROM and on handgrip strength.