# High-Intensity Intermittent Training Positively Affects Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance in Judo Athletes Independently of Exercise Mode

PMID: 27445856
Journal: Frontiers in physiology
Published: 2016
Authors: Franchini E, Julio UF, Panissa VL, Lira FS, Gerosa-Neto J, Branco BH

## Question

Do lower-body cycling, upper-body cycling, and judo-specific uchi-komi HIIT modes differentially improve aerobic and anaerobic performance in judo athletes compared with regular judo training alone?

## Summary

In 35 male state-level judo athletes, 4 weeks of low-volume all-out intermittent training added to regular judo produced some upper-body aerobic and upper/lower-body anaerobic improvements. The exact adaptations differed by mode: lower-body cycling, upper-body cycling, or judo-specific uchi-komi.

## Population

- Male state-level judo athletes training regularly.
- Sample size: 35
- Age: Group means 22.3-26.4 years
- Sex: Male only
- Fitness level: State-level judo competitors with 12-18 years average practice by group
- Health status: Healthy trained athletes under 100 kg, not in weight-loss programs

## Methodology

- Randomized controlled experimental training study
- 4 weeks
- Judo athletes from clubs with lab testing and sport-specific training
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Judo HIIT modes.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer or uchi-komi.
- Work intervals: 20 seconds.
- Recovery: 10 seconds between efforts; 5 minutes between blocks.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 blocks of 10 efforts.
- Intensity: All-out.
- Session duration: 22 minutes 40 seconds including warm-up and rests.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: No progression reported.
- Regular judo training.
- Modality: Judo training.
- Session duration: Regular 1.5-2 hour judo sessions reported for athlete context.
- Frequency: Regular judo training only.
- Program length: 4 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Upper-body MAP
Status: improved
Upper-body HIIT increased upper-body maximal aerobic power.

p=0.008 within upper-body group.

### Upper-body power
Status: improved
Uchi-komi increased upper-body peak power, and lower-body HIIT increased upper-body power at OBLA.

Uchi-komi PP p=0.015; lower-body POBLA p=0.020.

### Lower-body power
Status: mixed
Lower-body HIIT improved lower-body mean power in bout 4, while upper-body and uchi-komi groups had lower mean power overall post-training.

Lower-body group bout 4 p=0.007; upper-body p=0.047; uchi-komi p=0.029.

### Body composition
Status: no clear change
Body mass and body fat percentage did not change.

No group, time, or interaction effects, p>0.05.

## Practical Insights

- For athletes, a low-volume 20:10 format can be sport-specific or ergometer-based.
- Mode selection matters; adaptations were not identical across upper-body, lower-body, and uchi-komi formats.
- Do not expect body-composition changes from a short low-volume block in trained athletes.

## Limitations

- Small all-male athlete groups.
- Control blood markers were not measured.
- No long-term follow-up or competition outcomes.
- Adherence reporting was limited.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were specifically reported.
- Muscle damage markers increased acutely after Wingate tests but did not show a training-period effect.
- Control-group blood markers were not measured.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27445856/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00268) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923181/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.