Exploring Physical Fitness in Male Judo and Karate Athletes - A Comparative Study

The purpose of the study was to identify the difference between selected physical fitness components such as speed, agility, and shoulder strength among male athletes practicing Judo and Karate. A total of 60 male athletes, 30 Judo and 30 Karate players, were selected. The age of the subjects ranged between 16 and 23 years. The selected fitness variables were assessed using the following tests: the 30-meter fly start for speed, the Medicine Ball Throw test for shoulder strength, and the Shuttle Run (4×10 meters) test for agility. The collected data was analyzed using by ‘t’ test to determine the presence of significant differences. The results of the study revealed a significant difference in all the selected physical fitness components between Judokas and Karatekas. This indicates that the physical demands of Judo and Karate differ in terms of the specific fitness components that contribute to performance in both sports.