Time-motion and tactical analysis of Olympic judo fighters

The present research aimed to compare a time-motion and tactical analysis between international competition and Olympic combats during judo matches. The study considered 2,316 male combats in 2011 and 2012 by 22 men from each class as the world’s best and qualified for the 2012 Olympics Games. From this amount, a randomized selection of 112 combat performances (56 from international competitions (winning combats=56, losing combats=56) and 56 from Olympic combats (winning combats=56, losing combats=56)). The combat phases observed were: i) approach, ii) gripping, iii) attack (separated in four orientations), iv) defense, v) groundwork combat, and vi) pause. Analysis of variances with repeated measures was conducted, p≤0.05. Regarding the Groundwork combat, Losing Olympic combats, with 33.9(2.9)s and 7(3;11) frequencies per combat, demonstrated longer periods and higher frequency than Winning International Championship combats, with 18.3(2.9)s and 3(1; 6) frequency, respectively. Losing Olympic combats, with 1.3(1.7)s, demonstrated shorter periods of Attack to Right than Winning International Championship combats, with 2.8(3.8). The present time-motion and tactical analysis differences can be used to conduct judo activities with tactical developments and physical elements with analogous specific demands.