Reference Values for Maximal Strength in Elite Judo Athletes: National- and International-Level Competitors

Maximal strength is a fundamental attribute in judo performance, yet few studies have examined strength differences by sex, weight category, and competitive level among elite athletes. This study aimed to establish normative values for maximal strength in national and international-level judo competitors. A total of 112 elite athletes (68 males, 44 females) underwent one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests in back squat, bench press, and prone row. ANOVA 2-way and t-tests were used to compare strength across sex, weight categories, and competitive levels. Percentile-based classification tables were also developed to assist practical applications. Male athletes demonstrated significantly higher absolute strength than females in all exercises: back squat (p < .001, η² = 0.50), bench press (p < .001, η² = 0.62), and prone row (p < .001, η² = 0.45). Among males, heavier athletes displayed greater strength than lighter categories (p < .05), while no such differences were observed among females. International-level athletes outperformed national-level peers in absolute strength across all exercises (p < .05; d = 0.52-0.76), but relative strength did not differ significantly (p > .05). These results highlight key sex- and level-based distinctions in strength and offer evidence-based benchmarks to guide individualized strength training strategies for optimizing judo performance.