Multidimensional determinants of decision making in judo: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.117290Keywords:
Cognitive factors, decision making, combat sports, systematic review, tactical performanceAbstract
Introduction: Decision-making in judo is a critical skill, shaped by multiple physiological, contextual, technical, and psychological factors that interact in highly unpredictable and tactically demanding environments.
Objetive: This systematic review aimed to analyze the main determinants of decision-making in judo, synthesize the methodological designs used, and discuss the associated practical and research implications.
Methodology: The Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines, yielding 4 eligible studies.
Results: Evidence shows that decision-making in combat is strongly influenced by variables such as tournament phase, weight category, rapid weight loss, and the opponent's technical style. Lighter athletes exhibit greater technical diversity and faster decision-making, while heavier categories prioritize strength and ground control. Strategies such as pacing and intensity adjustments depending on the competitive moment emerge as central tactical determinants. Rapid weight loss has been shown to compromise executive function, negatively impacting attention and reaction time. Despite advances in observational analyses, there remains a lack of experimental studies integrating neurocognitive and psychophysiological metrics.
Conclusions: The conclusion is that decision-making in judo should be trained in representative contexts that simulate the cognitive, technical, and emotional pressures of real competition, promoting an integrated approach between technical training, physical preparation, and mental regulation.
References
Agostinho, M., & Franchini, E. (2021). Observational analysis of the variability of actions in judo: The key for success? Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, 15, 69–77. https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v15i2.6341
Agostinho, M., Courel-Ibáñez, J., & Franchini, E. (2021). Judo technical-tactical dynamics: analysis of attack system effectiveness in high-level athletes. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 21(6), 922–933. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2021.1958533
Anshel, M. H., & Payne, D. M. (2006). Application of sport psychology for performance enhancement. In J. Dosil (Ed.), The sport psychologist’s handbook: A guide for sport-specific performance enhancement (pp. 1–23). Wiley.
Araújo, D., Davids, K., & Passos, P. (2007). Ecological approaches to cognition and action in sport and exercise: Ask not only what you do, but where you do it. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 38(1), 23–27.
Balci, S., & Ceylan, B. (2020). Penalties in judo: The impact of shido on match durations and results. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 20(5), 659–667. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2020.1775413
Barreto, L. B. M., Aedo-Muñoz, E. A., Soto, D. A. S., Miarka, B., & Brito, C. J. (2022). Has there been a change between combat time in male judo? Analysis of the top 20 athletes by weight division between the 2016–20 Olympic cycles. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 22(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2022.2086516
Batista, M. A., Sequeira, D., Gancho, H., & Fernandes, J. (2022). Predominance of techniques analysis used in the final rounds of judo international competitions scoring for the Olympic ranking: A biomechanical approach. Retos, 46, 833–842. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v46.94538
Batista, M. A., Silva, C., Torres, D., Conceição, A., Borrego, C., & Louro, H. (2024). Predominant technical actions used in the European judo championship. Retos, 60, 877–885. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v60.107361
Batista, M. A., Escobar-Molina, R., Fernandes, J., & Louro, H. (2025). Análisis del tipo de técnicas, puntuaciones y sanciones en el Campeonato de Europa de Judo Senior. Retos, 67, 257–268. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.109832
Blumenstein, B., Lidor, R., & Tenenbaum, G. (2005). Psychological preparation for sports performance: A self-regulation approach. Springer.
Ceylan, B., & Balci, S. (2021). The evaluation of Senior World Judo Championships 2018 and 2019: The effects of sex and weight category on points, penalties, and match duration. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Sports Sciences, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5336/sportsci.2020-80066
Dopico-Calvo, X., Mayo, X., Santos, L., Carballeira, E., Šimenko, J., Ceylan, B., Clavel, I., & Iglesias-Soler, E. (2023). When and how a judo contest ends: Analysis of scores, penalties, rounds and temporal units in 2018, 2019 and 2021 World Championships. Applied Sciences, 13(4), 2395. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042395
Dopico-Calvo, X., Santos, L., Carballeira, E., Mayo, X., Ceylan, B., Šimenko, J., Sevilla-Sanchez, M., & Iglesias-Soler, E. (2024). Events and event records (scoring and penalties) across temporal units in elite judo contests: Implications for tactical preparation. Applied Sciences, 19(2), 151–170. https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v19i1.2413
Fortes, L. S., Lira, H. A. A. S., & Ferreira, M. E. C. (2016). Efeito da rápida perda de massa corporal no desempenho da tomada de decisão em judocas. Journal of Physical Education, 28(1), e-2817. https://doi.org/10.4025/reveducfis.v28i1.2817
Franchini, E., & Sterkowicz, S. (2000). Techniques used by judoists during the World and Olympic tournaments 1995–1999. Human Movement, 2, 24–32.
Gibson, J. J. (1979). The ecological approach to visual perception. Houghton Mifflin.
Higgins, J. P. T., Thomas, J., Chandler, J., Cumpston, M., Li, T., Page, M. J., & Welch, V. A. (Eds.). (2022). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (2nd ed.). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119536604
Kashiwagura, D., Courel-Ibáñez, J., Kashiwagura, F., Agostinho, M., & Franchini, E. (2021). Judo technical-tactical dynamics: Analysis of attack system effectiveness in high-level athletes. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 21(6), 922–933. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2021.1958533
Kons, R. L., Agostinho, M. F., Lopes-Silva, J. P., dos Santos, D. C., Detanico, D., & Franchini, E. (2022). More time for judo matches? Analysis of type of techniques, time, scores, and penalties in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, 960365. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.960365
Miarka, B., Brito, C. J., Amtmann, J., Córdova, C., Bello, F. D., & Camey, S. (2018). Suggestions for judo training with pacing strategy and decision making by judo championship phases. Journal of Human Kinetics, 64, 219–232. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2017-0196
Miarka, B., Fukuda, D. H., Heinisch, H. D., Battazza, R., Del Vecchio, F. B., Camey, S., & Franchini, E. (2016). Time-motion analysis and decision making in female judo athletes during victory or defeat at Olympic and non-Olympic events: Are combat actions really unpredictable? International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 16(2), 442–463. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2016.11868900
Morales, J., Ubasart, C., Solana-Tramunt, M., Villarrasa-Sapiña, I., González, L., Fukuda, D., & Franchini, E. (2018). Effects of Rapid Weight Loss on Balance and Reaction Time in Elite Judo Athletes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(10), 1371-1377. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2018-0089
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Pedro, J., & Durbin, D. (2001). The psychomotor and psychological demands in Olympic combat sports: A review. European Journal of Sport Science, 1(3), 1–10.
Pieter, W., & Heijmans, J. (1997). Scientific coaching for Olympic judo athletes. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 33, 117–137.
Pocecco, E., Schneider, F., Stavrinou, P. S., De Crée, C., & Burtscher, J. (2024). Fasting in Judo—Between Healthy Weight Control and Health Hazard: A Narrative Review. Obesities, 4(4), 453-467. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities4040036
Renshaw, I., Araújo, D., Button, C., Chow, J. Y., Davids, K., & Moy, B. (2019). Learning to play: A constraints-led perspective on performance and learning in sport. Routledge.
Ricci, A. A., Evans, C., Stull, C., Peacock, C. A., French, D. N., Stout, J. R., Fukuda, D. H., La Bounty, P., Kalman, D., Galpin, A. J., Tartar, J., Johnson, S., Kreider, R. B., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Jeffery, A., Algieri, C., & Antonio, J. (2025). International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrition and weight cut strategies for mixed martial arts and other combat sports. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 22(1), 2467909. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2467909
Rushall, B.S. (2003). Mental Skills Training for Sports ( 3rd ed). Spring Valley, CA: Sports Science Associates.
Soto, D. A. S., Aedo-Muñoz, E., Brito, C. J., Camey, S., & Miarka, B. (2020). Making decisions and motor actions with technical biomechanical classifications in male judo weight categories. Journal of Human Kinetics, 72, 241–252. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2020-0023
Šimenko, J., & Hadžić, V. (2022). Bilateral Throw Execution in Young Judokas for a Maximum All Year Round Result. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17(5), 720-725. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0186
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marco Batista, Jožef Batista
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
