1. Data on morphological features of judokas of various weight categories are often used to select athletes and determine the course of their training. Such studies have been done mainly for male judokas (Franchini, Nunes, Moraes & Del Vecchio, 2007 et al.). Yet, morphological features of female judokas still remain poorly researched. So the aim of this study was to compare the lengths and circumferences of body segments, skinfolds, and body fat percentage of high- rank female judokas of various weight classes. Introduction Methods Twenty-three Russian female judokas (Masters of Sports of Russia and Masters of Sports of Russia of International Class) took part in the investigation. Morphological characteristics of 11 (age 22.3 ± 4.2 years old, height 162.0 ± 4.6 cm, weight 55.1 ± 4.1 kg) judokas of lighter weight classes (under 52, 57, and 63 kg) and 12 judokas (age 21.9 ± 2.6 years old, height 167.8 ± 5.5 cm, weight 68.3 ± 4.4 kg) of heavier weight classes (under 70 and 78 kg) were compared. Measurements were taken in accordance with ISAK guidelines. Body fat percentage was calculated from the measurements of four skinfolds (Jackson, Pollock & Ward, 1980). One-way analysis of variance was used to examine statistical differences of data. Comparison of morphological characteristics of high-rank female judokas of various weight classes Salman Elipkhanov & Oleg Nemtsev Adyghe State University (Maykop, Russia) Results No significant differences in lengths of upper arms, forearms, hands, thighs, and shins were found for the judokas of both groups (Table 1). Yet, heavier judokas appeared to have significantly larger lengths of feet (Table 1). Circumferences of neck, thorax at forced inspiration, arm relaxed, forearm, mid-thigh and calf were significantly larger in case of heavier judokas (Table 1). No significant differences in hand circumferences were found (Table 1). The following skinfolds were significantly larger in case of heavier judokas: triceps, forearm, subscapular, chest, abdominal, thigh, medial calf. Body fat percentage was significantly larger for judokas of heavier weight classes (Table 1). Table 1 Morphological characteristics of female judokas of various weight classes (Mean ± Standard Deviation, cm) Discussion The absence of significant differences in the lengths of body segments between female judokas of lighter and heavier weight classes (except for feet) has shown that there is no need to rely on these characteristics when selecting athletes of different weight categories. Significantly larger circumferences of most body segments, larger skinfolds and body fat percentage of heavier judokas might result in lower mobility and deficiencies in competitive performance. Big values of body fat in judokas of heavier weight classes might be the consequence of their insufficient competitive readiness, and thus might be viewed upon as a reason to adjust their training processes. Morphological characteristics Lighter weight classes Heavier weight classes p Upper arm length 30,0 ± 2,231,3 ± 1,8p>0.05 Forearm length 23,7 ± 1,624,5 ± 1,6p>0.05 Hand length 19,1 ± 1,419,7 ± 1,1p>0.05 Thigh length 37,2 ± 2,437,2 ± 2,8p>0.05 Shin length 39,1 ± 2,840,7 ± 2,8p>0.05 Foot length 24,0 ± 0,825,2 ± 1,0p<0.01 Neck circumference 33,5 ± 1,036,1 ± 1,6p<0.001 Thorax at forced inspiration 90,7 ± 2,898,3 ± 3,9p<0.001 Arm relaxed circumference 26,1 ± 1,929,4 ± 1,8p<0.001 Forearm circumference 24,0 ± 1,425,8 ± 1,4p<0.01 Mid-thigh circumference 47,0 ± 2,352,3 ± 2,2p<0.001 Calf circumference 32,4 ± 1,235,6 ± 1,4p<0.001 Hand circumference 19,4 ± 0,919,9 ± 1,2p>0.05 Triceps skinfold 12,3 ± 3,615,9 ± 3,1p<0.05 Forearm skinfold 4,6 ± 0,87,1 ± 2,0p<0.01 Subscapular skinfold 11,4 ± 3,215,3 ± 4,6p<0.05 Chest skinfold 6,9 ± 1,89,5 ± 2,9p<0.05 Abdominal skinfold 17,5 ± 4,125,4 ± 9,4p<0.05 Thigh skinfold 13,0 ± 3,919,3 ± 5,8p<0.01 Medial calf skinfold 13,7 ± 3,018,3 ± 4,2p<0.01 Body fat percentage 17,1 ± 2,922,5 ± 3,9p<0.01 contacts: sbelphnv@mail.ru, oleg.nemtsev@mail.ru