Diurnal Variation of Specific Tests’ Performance and Related Psychological Aspects in Young Judo Athletes

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of time-of-day on judo athletes’ performances and the associated psychological variables and perceived exertion following judo-specific tests. Methods: Twelve male judo athletes (age: 16 ± 1 years) performed in a randomized and counterbalanced order the special judo fitness test (SJFT), the judo physical fitness test (JPFT), the dynamic and isometric judogi chin-up tests in the morning (8:00 a.m), midday (12:00 p.m), and afternoon (5:00 p.m). Oral temperature and psychological variables [profile of mood state (POMS), Hooper questionnaire, total quality of recovery (TQR)] were assessed before and after the tests, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) were assessed only after the tests. Results: RPE score was higher in the morning compared to the afternoon after the JPFT (d = 0.38, p = .045). PACES after JPFT was higher in the morning compared to midday (d = 0.85, p < .001). The isometric and dynamic performances during chin-up tests were higher in the afternoon compared to the morning (d = 0.38, p = .048 and 0.047, respectively). Also, oral temperature was higher in the afternoon compared to the morning (d = 0.41, p = .050) and the midday (p = .047) for dynamic test, while TQR, well-being indices, and POMS did not differ according to time-of-day (p > .05). Conclusions: These results suggest that dynamic and isometric judo chin-up tests are time-of-day dependent with higher performance recorded in the afternoon than in the morning. However, performances in the JPFT and SJFT were not time-of-day dependent.

KEYWORDS:

• Combat sports
• mood states
• recovery
• strength

Acknowledgments

The authors thank gratefully the athletes for their cooperation. We also thank Dr. Hamza Marzouki who critically revised the manuscript.

Ibrahim Ouergui, Slaheddine Delleli, Okba Selmi, and Anissa Bouassida are in the High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Tunisia. Hamdi Chtourou is in the Activité Physique, Sport et Santé, UR18JS01, Observatoire National du Sport, Tunis, Tunisie and in the High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia. Ezdine Bouhlel is in the Laboratoire de Physiologie de l’exercice et Physiopathologie, de L’intégré au Moléculaire “Biologie, Médecine, Santé,” UR12ES06, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia. Emerson Franchini is in the Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

IRB approval

The study was approved by the Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud (CPP: 0225/2020).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.