Introduction. There is a lack of high-quality international evidence concerning somatotypes in judo, which are becoming more and more important in selection of talented individuals. This study is aimed to summarize contemporary scientific output in the field of somatotypes and judo. The analysis was based on the data recorded in databases of Academic Search Complete, Elsevier, Sportdiscus, Medline. Searching and reviewing relevant references and review articles helped identify 21 studies involving 574 male judoists in total. In all the studies, a methodology of somatotype identification by somatochart developed by Carter and Heath [6] was used. At the next stage of the analysis, 5 publications were excluded because they failed to present SDs. Somatotype components were analyzed using an analysis of means (ANOM method). Furthermore, several studies concerning age and gender were also reviewed. Somatotypes of male judoists. Mean somatotypes of 21 international samples were presented in a somatochart. The grand mean amounted to 2.7-6.3-1.6. The review of the results obtained for judoists revealed that the mean somatotype in 16 groups of contestants is endomorphic mesomorph, whereas five other studies have demonstrated balanced mesomorph. Somatotypes of female judoists. Typical somatotype in females was endomorphic mesomorph (4 samples) or mesomorphendomorph (1 sample). The sexual dimorphism in body build in judoists was lesser than in untrained subjects. Concluding remarks. A typical somatotype among judo contestants is endomorphic mesomorph, with dominant mesomorphy and endomorphy greater than ectomorphy. It can be concluded that many years of training and selection schemes contribute to the development of the somatotypes typical of judo contestants. The analyses of the somatotypes in relation to the factor of age, gender, weight categories and technique preferred are less frequently presented in the relevant literature and need further investigations. The information collected may be useful for judo coaches when making supplementary professional decisions.
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