Force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task: effects of a 10-week introductory judo course

Abstract

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week introductory Judo class on force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task. Material and methods. Twenty-two healthy men and women (age: 21.8±3.2yr; height: 169.6±7.4cm; body mass: 75.4±13.2 kg), 10 in an introductory judo class and 12 age-matched controls, were recruited for this study. All participants performed three five-second maximal voluntary contractions with their right hand on a handgrip dynamometer in a neutral stance before and after the 10-week intervention. The variables measured were: peak force (PF), average force (AVGF), average force to 90%PF (AVG90), rate of force development (PRFD), time to PF (TPF), force at PRFD (F@PRFD), and impulse [area under the curve for the first second (AUC1) and the first two seconds (AUC2)]. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) was used to determine differences in all variables between groups (judo vs. control) prior to and following the intervention period. Results. No differences were observed between groups within any variable. Conclusions. A 10-week introductory judo class did not have an effect on force-time characteristics during an explosive isometric gripping task. Future studies should examine longer/more intense interventions or examine novice versus experienced judoka.