Every judoist is aware of the severity of judo practice. However, if asked how severe it is, an adequate answer is very difficult tofind. Actually, there is not enough scientific data which will give a satisfactory reply to the question. The intensity of exercise may be expressed by "the amount of energy consumed during a unit time, or by the physical work accomplished". In Japan, the intensity of exercise of various sports has been investigated by studying the relative metabolic rate (RMR) as an index. In judo, Ogawa, in 1958, first studied the RMR during performance of Nagewaza (throwing technique). In order to determine energy consumption it is necessary to collect expired air of the experimental subject in a Douglas bag connected to the mask attached to the experimental subject's face by means of a tube. In severe exercise, such as the Randori (free exercise) it is necessary to restrict the movements of the performer of the technique and also it is difficult to collect expired air continuously. For these reasons investigations in this field has been somewhat shunned. It was due to these difficulties that Ikai and Kaneko indirectly estimated the severity of exercise by determining the heart rate by means of a telemeter. The present study was undertaken in spite of the above mentioned difficulties. Oxygen uptake (1 l oxygen = 5 kcal of energy) was determined, and heart rate was investigated by means of a telemeter in order to elucidate the severity of exercise of judo practice.
© Copyright 1978 Association for the Scientific Studies on Judo, Kodokan. All rights reserved.