Neuromotor Adaptations and Coordinative Ability Differences in Judo and Wrestling Athletes from Haryana, India

Authors

  • Ram Niwas

    Department of Physical Education, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125055, India
  • Monika Verma

    Department of Physical Education, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125055, India
  • Avnesh Verma

    Department of Instrumentation (formerly USIC), Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i2.11984
Received: 20 August 2025 | Revised: 8 October 2025 | Accepted: 15 October 2025 | Published Online: 22 October 2025

Abstract

This interdisciplinary study examines differences in coordinative abilities—motor control skills enabling efficient and adaptable movement—between male judo and wrestling athletes from Haryana, India. The research investigates how sport-specific neuromotor adaptations, shaped by distinct training environments and biomechanical demands, influence performance across key coordinative domains. Sixty male athletes (30 judokas and 30 wrestlers), aged 18–25 years, were purposively selected from accredited state training centers. Because judo emphasizes explosive, upright throwing techniques while wrestling involves continuous, ground-based grappling, it was hypothesized that notable variations in coordinative profiles would emerge. A cross-sectional comparative design was used. Five coordinative abilities were evaluated with standardized tests: orientation (Numbered Medicine Ball Run Test), differentiation (Backward Medicine Ball Throw Test), balance (Long Nose Test), reaction (Ball Reaction Exercise Test), and rhythm (Sprint at Given Rhythm Test). Independent t-tests and F-values were applied for statistical analysis. Results indicated that wrestlers significantly outperformed judokas in orientation (p < 0.01), rhythm (p < 0.01), balance (p < 0.05), and reaction time (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in differentiation ability (p > 0.05). These outcomes reflect the sport-specific nature of coordinative development: wrestlers showed superior spatial awareness, dynamic balance, and rapid reactions, likely due to the demands of ground-based combat, whereas judokas demonstrated strengths in short, explosive precision tasks. The study enhances understanding of neuromotor specialization in combat sports and supports the development of tailored training strategies for performance optimization and talent identification.

Keywords:

Coordinative Abilities; Judo; Wrestling; Sports Science; Environmental Adaptation; Motor Performance

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How to Cite

Niwas, R., Verma, M., & Verma, A. (2025). Neuromotor Adaptations and Coordinative Ability Differences in Judo and Wrestling Athletes from Haryana, India. Journal of International Education and Practice, 8(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i2.11984

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 2 (December 2025): In Progress

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ARTICLE

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Copyright © 2025 Ram Niwas, Monika Verma, Avnesh Verma

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.