relationship between the special judo fitness test and field testing

Judo, an Olympic sport, uses the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) to predict an athlete's competition readiness. However, the SJFT's high anaerobic technical demands may increase pre-competition injury risk. Purpose: To identify field tests that could predict performance on the SJFT, providing alternative ways to evaluate an athlete’s performance readiness. Methods: Ten judo athletes (age: 33.8±8.3 years; height: 171.5±3.7 cm; weight: 79.5±9.7 kg) performed eight field tests, including pro-agility, six-meter timed hop, modified handgrip strength, maximum push-ups, modified Gi flexed-arm hang, upper quarter Y-balance, maximum sit-ups, and 300-yard shuttle run tests. Pearson correlations and backward stepwise regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between the field tests and the SJFT score and index, p = .05. Results: The SJFT score was associated with the pro-agility (r = -.70) and the six-meter hop (r = -.73) and the SJFT index was associated with the pro-agility (r = .73) and the 300-yard shuttle run (r = .73), p < .05. A backward stepwise regression showed that the six-meter hop predicted the SJFT score, R² = .52, p = .018, while the 300-yard shuttle run predicted the SJFT index, R² = .53, p = .017. Conclusion: The six-meter hop and 300-yard shuttle tests can serve as measures for identifying an athlete’s readiness for SJFT performance or, alternatively, their preparedness for competition.