Introduction While jiu-jitsu and judo are martial arts that traditionally place an emphasis on mental and spiritual development, a direct fight constitutes their essential element. Today they are largely practiced within the realm of combat sports. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a Brazilian sport that originated by adapting tech- niques from traditional Japanese jujutsu [1]. Focus has shift- ed in these fighting disciplines to the recruitment and selec- tion of athletes and deciding which anthropometric, mechani- cal, and physiological factors are the most important for com- petitive success [2-8]. It was proved, that among the others, physical fitness with great muscular strength is important fac- tor of success in combat sports [4,9,10]. Other studies have reported that performance and competitive success in combat sports are influenced by body size and other anthropometric variables [2,4,5,11]. These aspects are intertwined with com- bat sport training, which also introduces changes in the phys- ical fitness and some elements of body build of its practition- ers [12,13]. Franchini et al. [2,14] concluded that in the group of the best athletes, the morphological variables do not dis- criminate performance, but the higher percent body fat is neg- atively correlated with performance, especially in activities with body mass locomotion. Jiu-jitsu and judo both have a lot of elements of fight tech- nique in vertical and horizontal positions, however, in Brazi- lian ju-jitsu there are more elements of technique which are not permissible in judo. In judo bouts competitors struggle in vertical (tachi-waza) and horizontal (ne-waza) positions. The fight ends when one judoka (tori) performs the throw (on the large part of back, with power and control) and the referee announces ippon [15]. The amount of time of the fight in tachi- waza and ne-waza depends on the rules [16]. In ju-jitsu bouts there are 3 phases: fight in distance (striking), fight with grip (throws) and fight in horizontal position – ne-waza [17]. Bra- zilian jiu-jitsu is considered a predominantly aerobic sport [18] with significantly higher proportion of an effort/ pause (ratio of approximately 10:1) when compared to judo which have pre- sented an effort-pause ratio of approximately 2:1 [19]. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has more longer combat phases than judo [18]. 53 A comparative analysis of male judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners based on motor performance and body build Aleksandra Stachoń, Anna Burdukiewicz, Jadwiga Pietraszewska, Justyna Andrzejewska Department of Physical Anthropology, University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Poland Key words: muscle strength, body composition, anthropometry, martial arts Summary Introduction. Particular fighting styles such as jiu-jitsu and judo, despite they have the same roots, differ from each other in technique and fighting dynamics and may involve different physical and functional demands. The aim of the study was to com- pare selected motor performance and body build variables in a sample of male combat athletes. Material and methods. An anthropometric and fitness examination involved 23 judo and 43 Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners. The study was performed under the auspices of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the grant "Develop- ment of muscle strength among martial arts and combat sports athletes differentiated by body build" (No. NRSA1 001551). Results. While the jiu-jitsu group showed better performance in the standing long jump and sit-up test, the judo group attained higher strength values in which the largest difference was in back strength by approximately 20 kG. No significant intra-group dif- ferences were found in mean body height and size. Greater subscapular skinfold thickness and smaller forearm girth was found in the jiu-jitsu practitioners; the judo group was better hydrated. Conclusions. The specificity of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in that it allows a number of fighting techniques not permissible in judo, is reflected in improved motor performance via strength of the abdomen and lower limbs. The judo practitioners, using techniques that primarily engage the trunk and upper limbs, present strong back and forearm musculature as well as less trunk fat and increased forearm girth. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts © MEDSPORTPRESS, 2015; 2(2); Vol. 6, 53-58 DOI: 10.5604/20815735.1193158 This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited. - This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited. - This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited. - This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited. - This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited. -