Interaction of Judo Training Style and Expertise on Executive Function: A Pilot Study

This study investigated the effects of sport type (Kata [closed-skill] vs. Randori [open-skill]) and expertise level (Expert vs. Amateur) on the executive function (EF) profiles—specifically working memory and response inhibition—of competitive youth judo athletes.A causal-comparative factorial design was conducted with ۱۴۰ male youth judoka aged ۱۵–۱۹ years selected from sports clubs in Tehran province (۷۶ Kata and ۶۴ Randori practitioners). Participants were further categorized into Experts (active regional league competitors) and Amateurs (۳–۵ years of structured training without league experience). Working memory was evaluated using a computerized visual ۲-back task (accuracy and reaction time [RT]), and response inhibition was assessed via a standardized Stroop task (incongruent condition RT and error scores).Two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects for both training style and expertise level across all cognitive metrics (p < ۰.۰۵). Randori athletes and experts demonstrated superior working memory capacity and quicker response inhibition compared to Kata athletes and amateurs, respectively. Crucially, a significant style \times expertise interaction emerged for ۲-back accuracy (p = ۰.۰۲۹) and Stroop incongruent RT (p = ۰.۰۱۱). Post-hoc analyses indicated that expert Randori judokas achieved the highest cognitive efficiency, significantly outperforming expert Kata practitioners, whereas no significant performance differences were found between training styles at the amateur level. The findings indicate that the highly dynamic, unpredictable, and rapid nature of live sparring (Kumite) triggers greater adaptations in prefrontal executive control networks than formal pattern execution (Kata). Furthermore, the absence of variation among amateurs suggests that these specialized cognitive enhancements are not immediate, but rather manifest following years of deliberate, high-level practice and competitive immersion during late adolescence

کلیدواژه ها:

executive function ، Working memory ، response inhibition ، athletic expertise