Age-related characteristics of technical-tactical potential and special endurance in judo athletes (winners vs. defeated) in high-stakes competition

The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the implementation of the technical-tactical potential and special endurance of judo athletes with different levels of competitive success, as well as to identify specific differences in planning pre-competition preparation for adult athletes and juniors. Research methods and organization. The scientific approach was based on pairwise comparison of the pedagogical and physiological indicators of athletes directly according to the results of a face-to-face match. This methodology allowed for the objectification of differences in the functional condition and technical-tactical efficiency of winners and losers under equal conditions of confrontation. Research results and conclusions. It has been established that the competitive success of adult judo athletes reliably correlates with the level of their specific endurance. The superiority of winners in this component is manifested by a less pronounced physiological response to competitive load (lower lactate concentration and smaller pH shifts toward acidity) alongside higher performance and reliability of technical actions. This confirms the hypothesis that the performance of qualified athletes critically depends on the quality of pre-competition cycle planning and reaching peak athletic form. Unlike adults, the success of junior judo athletes is to a greater extent determined by their technical and tactical potential and the ability to realize it consistently, showing a weak dependence on the level of specific endurance. Based on the obtained data, two different approaches to organizing the training process have been formulated: for the adult contingent, the priority is on the targeted improvement of specific endurance, while for juniors, it is advisable to shift the focus toward expanding the technical and tactical repertoire without excessive use of anaerobic loads that stimulate accelerated development of specific endurance when athletes transition to the adult age category.