Effects of a Judo Training on Functional Fitness, Anthropometric, and Psychological Variables in Old Novice Practitioners

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 4-month judo training (1 hr session, biweekly) on physical and mental health of older adults (69.7 +/- 4.2 years). Participants (N= 30) were assigned to a judo novice practitioners group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 14), which did not receive any training. Before and after the program, they underwent anthropometric (body mass index and waist and hip circumferences); functional fitness (upper and lower body flexibility and strength, coordination); and psychological assessments (perceived physical and mental health, body image, and fear of falling). The judo group showed reductions of waist circumference (Delta = -1%, d= 0.2) and improvements for lower and upper body flexibility (Delta = +69%, d= 0.4 and Delta = +126%, d= 0.5, respectively) and strength (Delta = +12%, d= 0.6 and Delta = +31%, d= 1.6, respectively). The control group showed a decline in lower body strength (Delta = -12%, d= 0.8). Psychological variables did not reveal statistically significant effects. Judo seems beneficial for improving anthropometric and functional fitness variables, relevant aspects of successful aging.