The Uchikomi Fitness Test (UFT)

 

Ramdane ALMANSBA¹, Stanislaw STERKOWICZ², Katarzyna STERKOWICZ-PRZYBYCIEŃ³, Alain Steve COMTOIS¹

 

¹ Exercise Physiology laboratory, Kinanthropology Department, University of Québec in Montréal, Montreal, Canada

² Departments of Theory and Methodology of Combat Sports, University School of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawla II 78, 31-571 Krakow, Poland

³ Chair of Theory and Methodology of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawla II 78, 31-571 Krakow, Poland

 

Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this summary

 

Tutorial Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdgszV48kOA

 

Provenance: Written by Almansba R et al. Not externally peer reviewed

 

Published: November 14, 2011

 

Background and study aim : Judo Physiological testing requires constructing of the specific tools. This study aim to present a new methodological approach of the Uchikomi Fitness Test (UFT).

Material and methods : The world-class Canadien judoists (04 males) gave an informed consent for performing the UFT. The UFT was fully filmed in order to count exactly the number of uchikomi performed, the Cosmed K4b2 (Rome, Italy) was use for measurement the physiological responses and the Captiv software (Nice , France) was used to synchronize the physiological reactions and the physical activity of judoist in each second of effort.

Procedure : Authors stated the UFT is an intermittent test and last 243 sec in total duration. Three (3) judo athletes, two attacked (ukes) and one attacker (tori) of the same weight category required to participate in this test.

Figure 1 . Design of the UFT

 

The attacker (tori) must realise 6 sets of uchikomi. The first set last 23sec. and increase progressively of 3sec by set for static work of arms, intercepted of 4s rest and increase progressively of 2sec by set. The judoist attacker should realise two different sequences of work: (1) Isometrics exercise for arms: The judoist grips the sleeve and reverse of a judogi hanging in a high bar during 3sec.; (2) Explosive and dynamic exercise : While going down of the fixed bar, the judoist attacker runs toward one of the two ukes (attacked), practice Ippon seoi nage technique  (one-armed shoulder throw) with load (uchikomi) and then runs towards the other uke and practice the Sode tsurikomi goshi technique (sleeve lift-pull hip throw).

Conclusions: The reliable test [1] was demonstrated by visual model in proper way. The both physical activity and energy cost at the UFT was comparable to those reported during judo combat [2]. The bigger judoists group which representing different sport levels should be investigated in the future research.

 

Key words: uchikomi · specific test · visual model · explosive power

 

Glossary:

Uchikomi – repetition training. Repetitive application of a particular technique for the purpose of learning the specific balance breaking, body shifting, power application and other technical aspects associated with it [3].

Intermittent effort – exercise interrupted by periods of relief.

Power – the capacity to intervene in a given set of events so as in some way to alter them.

Technique – a pattern of movement   which is technically appropriate   for a particular skill and which is integral part, but not a whole part of that skill.

Model – an exemplar, used in coaching, of a technique in action. Technical models may be visual, verbal or written.

Test – an examination designed to reveal the relative standing of an individual in a group with respect to achievement or fitness [4].

 

References:

[1] Almansba R, Sterkowicz S, Sterkowicz-Przybycień K et al.: Reliability of the Uchikomi Fitness Test: A Pilot study. Sci Sports 2011, doi: 10.1016/j.scispo.2011.09.001

[2] Almansba R,   Comtois AS: Coût énergétique et astreintes cardiorespiratoires lors d’un combat de judo simulé : Uchikomi Fitness Test. Rendez-vous des entraîneurs, Université de Montréal,  1^er octobre 2011, Canada [ in French]

[3] Kawamura T, Daigo T: Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo. Tokyo: The Fundation of Kodokan Judo Institute; 2000

[4] Kent M. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine. Oxford-New York- Tokyo; Oxford University Press; 1994