Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review
Judo is a high-intensity combat sport requiring substantial aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Although research has explored the physiological demands of different sports over the years, few studies have investigated the specific cardiovascular adaptations that occur in judoka. This narrative review e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1607549/full |
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| _version_ | 1850117831090241536 |
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| author | Carlo Rossi Valerio Giustino Antonino Patti Roberto Roklicer Roberto Roklicer Marko Manojlovic Tatjana Trivic David Fukuda Antonino Bianco Patrik Drid |
| author_facet | Carlo Rossi Valerio Giustino Antonino Patti Roberto Roklicer Roberto Roklicer Marko Manojlovic Tatjana Trivic David Fukuda Antonino Bianco Patrik Drid |
| author_sort | Carlo Rossi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Judo is a high-intensity combat sport requiring substantial aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Although research has explored the physiological demands of different sports over the years, few studies have investigated the specific cardiovascular adaptations that occur in judoka. This narrative review examines these adaptations by focusing on cardiac function, heart rate variability (HRV), and hemodynamic responses, with the aim of summarizing the effects of judoka training on cardiovascular health and the relationship with athletic performance. Judo training improves aerobic capacity, with VO2max values similar to those of team sports athletes. It stimulates physiological hypertrophy of the left ventricle, improving cardiac function. Autonomic regulation shows a parasympathetic predominance, indicating better stress adaptation. Vascular adaptations include increased arterial elasticity and optimal blood pressure management, with judoka exhibiting lower blood pressure values than the general population. In summary, these adaptations promote cardiovascular health and improve athletic performance, although monitoring is essential to prevent overtraining and long-term issues. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-70dd5256012f46a4a63ce453f15c0ef2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-70dd5256012f46a4a63ce453f15c0ef22025-08-20T02:36:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-06-01710.3389/fspor.2025.16075491607549Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative reviewCarlo Rossi0Valerio Giustino1Antonino Patti2Roberto Roklicer3Roberto Roklicer4Marko Manojlovic5Tatjana Trivic6David Fukuda7Antonino Bianco8Patrik Drid9Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalySport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalySport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalyFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Brixen-Bressanone, ItalyFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United StatesSport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalyFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaJudo is a high-intensity combat sport requiring substantial aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Although research has explored the physiological demands of different sports over the years, few studies have investigated the specific cardiovascular adaptations that occur in judoka. This narrative review examines these adaptations by focusing on cardiac function, heart rate variability (HRV), and hemodynamic responses, with the aim of summarizing the effects of judoka training on cardiovascular health and the relationship with athletic performance. Judo training improves aerobic capacity, with VO2max values similar to those of team sports athletes. It stimulates physiological hypertrophy of the left ventricle, improving cardiac function. Autonomic regulation shows a parasympathetic predominance, indicating better stress adaptation. Vascular adaptations include increased arterial elasticity and optimal blood pressure management, with judoka exhibiting lower blood pressure values than the general population. In summary, these adaptations promote cardiovascular health and improve athletic performance, although monitoring is essential to prevent overtraining and long-term issues.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1607549/fullaerobic capacitycardiac functioncardiac hypertrophyheart rate variabilityhemodynamic responsesjudo |
| spellingShingle | Carlo Rossi Valerio Giustino Antonino Patti Roberto Roklicer Roberto Roklicer Marko Manojlovic Tatjana Trivic David Fukuda Antonino Bianco Patrik Drid Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review Frontiers in Sports and Active Living aerobic capacity cardiac function cardiac hypertrophy heart rate variability hemodynamic responses judo |
| title | Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review |
| title_full | Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review |
| title_short | Cardiovascular adaptations in judo: a narrative review |
| title_sort | cardiovascular adaptations in judo a narrative review |
| topic | aerobic capacity cardiac function cardiac hypertrophy heart rate variability hemodynamic responses judo |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1607549/full |
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