Brain structural correlates of psychopathic traits in elite female combat-sports athletes.

Psychopathy is characterized by glibness and superficial charm, as well as a lack of empathy, guilt and remorse, and is often accompanied by antisocial behaviour. The cerebral bases of this syndrome have been mostly studied in violent subjects or those with a criminal history. However, the antisocial component of psychopathy is not central to its conceptualization, and in fact, psychopathic traits are present in well-adjusted, non-criminal individuals within the general population. Interestingly, certain psychopathy characteristics appear to be particularly pronounced in some groups or professions. Importantly, as these so-called adaptive or successful psychopaths do not show antisocial tendencies or have significant psychiatric comorbidities, they may represent an ideal population to study this trait. Here, we investigated such a group, specifically elite female judo athletes, and compared them with matched non-athletes. Participants completed psychopathy, anger, perspective-taking and empathic concern questionnaires and underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Grey matter volume (GMV) was computed using voxel-based morphometry from the T1-weighted images. Athletes scored significantly higher in primary psychopathy and anger and lower in empathy and perspective taking. They also exhibited smaller GMV in the right temporal pole, left occipital cortex and left amygdala/hippocampus. GMV values for the latter cluster significantly correlated with primary psychopathy scores across both groups. These results confirm and extend previous findings to a little-studied population and provide support for the conceptualization of psychopathy as a dimensional personality trait which not only is not necessarily associated with antisocial behaviour but may potentially have adaptive value.

The effect of limitation of joint motion range due to ankle taping on the evaluation of functional motion of high school Judo athletes.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ankle injury preventative C-tape on the ankle range of motion, Y-balance test (YBT), and functional movement screening (FMS) test in Judo athletes. Participants in this study were 15 male judo athletes in high school. The angle of the ankle joint, YBT, and FMS were examined with and without the application of C-tape on each athlete's dominant foot. In YBT, ankle range of motion, and anterior reach distance were significantly lower in the taped ankle compared to the other (P<0.01). Moreover, the overhead deep squat and the FMS total score were significantly decreased after the C-tape application (P<0.05). The taping's limitation on the ankle joint range of motion may impose adverse effects on the other relevant joints, therefore a proper guideline on long-term usage is advised.

Effects of Rapid Weight Loss on Judo Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Rapid weight loss (RWL) is commonly practiced among judo athletes. Although it helps them to gain the advantage over their lighter opponents, previous studies have shown that RWL can have a negative impact on the athlete's performance and overall well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence that examines the influence of rapid weight loss on physiological parameters, biomarkers, and psychological well-being in judo athletes. We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. We searched for studies on Web of Science and PubMed that elaborate on the influence of ≥5% RWL achieved over ≤7-day period in judokas. Out of 52 studies initially found, 14 studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in the review. In total, we examined data from 1103 judo athletes. Retrieved studies showed conflicting data concerning physiological parameters and biomarkers, while psychological well-being parameters were more consistent than physiological and biomarkers. The feeling of tension, anger, and fatigue significantly increased while a decrease in vigor was demonstrated among athletes who lost weight rapidly. The evidence on the impact of RWL on performance remains ambiguous. More studies under standardized conditions are needed in order to provide firm evidence. Considering the harmful effects of RWL outlined in the existing literature, it is important to determine and monitor athlete's minimal competitive weight to prioritize the health and safety of the athlete, emphasize fairness, and ultimately benefit the sport.

The Effect of Neurofeedback Training on the Visual Processing Efficiency in Judo Athletes.

This study aimed to analyse the effect of neurofeedback (NFB) training based on beta-wave amplification and theta-wave inhibition on the visual processing efficiency of judo athletes. The study examined 12 male athletes from the national team of the Polish Judo Association. Participants were divided into the experimental (EG, n = 6) and the control group (CG, n = 6). The NFB training protocol was performed and recorded using a Deymed Truscan system with 24 active channels. The effect of NFB training was examined by computer-based simple and complex reaction tests and selected tests of the Vienna Test System (VST). One - way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the CG and the EG in theta and beta values after the first and the second cycle of training. There were statistically significant differences between the CG and the EG in the results of reaction speed tests after individual cycles of training. The highest reduction in simple reaction time was obtained after the second training cycle, when training was performed every second day and lasted four minutes.

Exercise-induced arterial adaptations in elite judo athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine exercise-induced arterial adaptations in elite Judo male and female athletes. 27 male Judo athletes (age 24.06 ± 2 years), 11 female Judoka (age 24.27 ± 1 years), 27 sedentary healthy men (age 24.01 ± 2 years) and 11 women (age 24.21 ± 1 years) participated in the current study. The examined vessels included brachial, radial, ulnar, popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The experimental parameters were recorded with the use of Duplex ultrasound at rest. Diastolic diameter and blood mean flow velocity of the examined arteries in Judo athletes were found to be both significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the findings of the control groups. In male Judo athletes the brachial (p < 0.001), radial (p < 0.001), and anterior tibial artery (p < 0.001) presented the highest difference on the diastolic diameter, compared with the control male group. In female Judo athletes, ulnar (p < 0.001), radial (p < 0.001), and brachial (p < 0.001) arteries illustrated the highest diastolic diameter. The highest blood mean flow velocity was recorded in ulnar (p < 0.001) and popliteal arteries (p < 0.001) of the Judo athletes groups. Recording differences between the two genders, male participants presented larger arteries than females. Conclusively, Judo has been found to be a highly demanding physical sport, involving upper and lower limbs leading to significant arterial adaptations. Obtaining vascular parameters provide a useful tool to the medical team, not only in the direction of enhancement of the efficacy of physical training, but in unknown so far parameters that may influence athletic performance of both male and female elite Judokas. Key pointsJudo athletes demonstrated a general homogenous increase of the arterial functionality of the upper and lower limbs compared to the control groups.Diastolic diameter found to be significantly increased in male and female Judo athletes, highlighting the effects of exercise training on the vascular system.Judo athletes had had statistically significant increase of the blood mean flow velocity in all examined arteries, compared with the relevant control group.The current study underscores the impact of Judo training on the structure and the function of the arterial system.Clinically, the increased arterial parameters in elite Judo athletes may be essential elements for improved athletic performance.Sports medicine practitioners should give special concern to the vascular functionality for several physiological and medical tests.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUNK MUSCLE GROUPS IN JAPANESE FEMALE ELITE JUDO ATHLETES / 体力科学

Using three-dimensional (3 D) imaging, we investigated the morphological characteristics of the M, latissiums dorsi (LD) and M, erector spinae (ES) of the dorsal trunk in judo athletes employing a computer graphics system on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . The subjects were five healthy untrained women (HUW) without lower back pain syndrome, and five Japanese female elite judo athletes (EJA) . There was no significant difference in height or weight between the HUW and EJA. Three-dimensional imaging of the LD and ES was reconstructed visually, based on MRI consecutive slice data taken from the first thoracic vertebra to the symphysis pubis along the trunk. Then the volume of the LD and ES was determined using a surface reconstruction algorithm.<BR>The morphological characteristics of the LD in the EJA appeared to indicate enlargment compared with those in the HUW, whereas the characteristics of the ES in both groups were similar. The volume of the LD was significantly different between the HUW (226.6±33.18 m<I>l</I>) and EJA (438.1±107.8 m<I>l</I>), whereas that of the ES showed no difference (HUW; 257.4±78.8 m<I>l</I>, EJA ; 284.0±74.82 m<I>l</I>) . In the EJA, but not in the HUW, there was a significant positive correlation between the volume of the LD and weight, and differences were noted between the two regression slopes. There was also a positive correlation between the volume of the ES and weight in both the HUW and EJA, which showed the same simple linear regression slope. These results suggest that the muscle hypertrophy evident in the LD, but not in the ES, is related to the effects of Judo training.

Exercise physical characteristics and laboratory findings in Japanese elite Judo athletes / 体力科学

A study was performed to evaluate the physical exercise characteristics of 29 Japanese elite judo athletes by treadmill exercise test. Functional aerobic impairment (FAI), heart rate impairment (HRI) and peripheral circulatory impairment (PCI) in the judo athletes were not significantly different from those of normal sedentary subjects. However, myocardial aerobic impairment (MAI) was lower than in normal sedentary subjects. %VO<SUB>2</SUB>max at the anaerobic threshold (AT) was 57.5±3.3% in male, and 57.0±4.3% in female judo athletes. %HRmax at AT was 72.4±3.8% in males, and 75.2±5.3% in females.<BR>These findings suggest that functional aerobic capacity and peripheral circulatory function in Japanese elite judo athletes are not significantly different from those of normal sedentary subjects, but that judo athletes have high left ventricular function.<BR>The blood biochemical profile and urinalysis date revealed that values of muscle injury enzymes, plasma uric acid and cholesterol were increased with relatively high freqency in elite judo athletes. Similar data were also obtained in individuals with suspected diabetic nephropathy and rhabdomyolysis.