COACHING Jozef SIMENKO 1(ABCDEFG) , Matej IPAVEC 2(DF) , Janez VODICAR 3(EG) , Samo RAUTER 3(BF) 1 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Institute of Sport & Department of Combat Sports (Slovenia) 2 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy (Slovenia) 3 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Institute of Sport (Slovenia) Corresponding author: Jozef Simenko, Faculty of Sport, Gortanova 22, Ljubljana, Slovenia, e-mail: jozef.simenko@ fsp.uni-lj.si, mob. no. +386 40 325 848 Body symmetry/asymmetry in youth judokas in the under 73 kg category Submission: 13.10.2016; acceptance: 14.02.2017 Key words: 3D scanning, anthropometry, combat sports, judo, symmetry, youth Abstract Background. Te anthropometric status of judokas is most frequently measured in samples containing judokas in all weight cate- gories. It is therefore essential to undertake research into specifc weight categories. Problem and aim. Tis study seeks to examine the status of body symmetry in youth judokas in the under 73 kg category. Methods. A group of Slovenian youth judokas (n=10, age: 17.28 ± 1.46 years; height: 177.53 ± 3.71 cm; weight: 73.86 ± 3.01 kg) were recruited for this study. 3D anthropometric measurement of the judokas’ bodies was performed by the NX-16 ([TC] 2 , 3D body scanner Cary, North Carolina). Using sofware, we extracted values for 15 paired variables. To determine the diferences in symmetries we used a paired T-Test with statistical signifcance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results. In fve variables we found statistically signifcant diferences between right and lef body pairs. Tose were elbow girth t(9)=4.08, p = 0.003, forearm girth t(9)=2.84, p = 0.019, thigh girth t(9)=3.87, p = 0.004, mid-thigh girth t(9)=5.81, p = 0.000 and calf girth t(9)=2.45, p = 0.037. Conclusions. It is of great importance for right hand-stance dominant judokas to train their nage waza – throwing techniques – bilaterally to achieve increased technical-tactical solutions in a judo bout and also to develop their morphological characteristics in a symmetrical direction. Tose factors will help reduce the dropout rate and will contribute to the systematic and healthy devel- opment of youth athletes into competitive senior judokas. © Idōkan Poland Association “IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology”, Vol. 17, no. 2 (2017), pp. 51–55 DOI: 10.14589/ido.17.2.6 plane and in young football players pelvis and scapulae symmetry has been observed [Wasik et al. 2015]. Various methods are available, to acquire and ana- lyse these result in sports practitioners but they vary depending on the time available for measurement, funds and the accuracy of results [Krzykala 2012]. Nowadays conventional anthropometry is the most widely- known and used method for assessing the dimensions of body segments [Heyward, Wagner 2004], and it is also ofen used in judo [Franchini, Del Vecchio, Matsushigue, Arti- oli 2011; Katralli, Goudar 2012; Spieser, Clijsen, Rucker, Cabri, Clarys 2012; Casals et al. 2015; Franchini et al. 2015; ]. Te progress of technology and the application of 3D body scanners has taken anthropometric research to a new direction as those methods have become con- tactless, fast and, above all, accurate [Simmons, Istook Introduction Tere is a need to seek out the most important factors which will enable high level athletes, to achieve their best results [Krzykala 2012]. Among these factors which include the modifcation of training methods and bio- logical regeneration, a certain level of morphological parameters is also very important. Body compartments, among other factors, play an important role in physical performance [Petersen et al. 2006]. Te physical con- stitution of athletes difers, which is refected in the size and thickness of various parts of the skeleton and in the relationships between them [Garay, Levine, Carter 1974]. Diferent sports disciplines afect body development and body symmetries in their own individual way; for instance trunk asymmetry has been observed in athletes, body symmetries have been noticed in divers’ frontal