Analysis of physical fitness, body composition, and structure of Polish national Ju-jitsu team members in relation to performance in competitions

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of body composition and physical fitness on the performance of athletes in the Polish National Ju-Jitsu Team and their effects on performance in competitive bouts. The focus was on understanding the relationship between physical and physiological parameters and the athletes' effectiveness during three phases of a ju-jitsu fight: standing, transition, and ground fighting. Methods: The study involved 10 national team athletes who were assessed for body composition, physical fitness, and technical-tactical skills. Various fitness tests, body composition measurements, and statistical analyses were employed to determine correlations between these factors and performance in each fight phase. Results: The findings indicated no significant correlations between body composition and performance in the first and second phases of the fight. However, significant correlations were observed in the third phase (ground fighting), where specific body composition parameters were linked to better performance. The study highlighted the importance of specialized training, particularly in endurance, speed, and strength maintenance, to prevent fatigue during fights. Conclusions: The results suggest that tailored training programs focused on the identified areas of improvement could enhance overall competition performance. While body composition did not correlate with performance in all fight phases, its impact in the third phase underscores the need for further research. These findings are crucial for optimizing training strategies for ju-jitsu athletes. Coaches should prioritize the development of special fitness, especially during the transition phase, and ensure comprehensive strength preparation to improve athletes' performance in competitions.