Effects of judo participation on anthropometric characteristics, motor abilities, and posture in young judo athletes

Abstract

Purpose. Despite the benefits of sport participation to schoolchildren, some highly competitive activities may induce sportspecific physical adaptations that may predispose children to long-term motor impairments. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric characteristics, motor abilities, and posture between schoolchildren actively participating in judo and their peers participating in general physical education classes. Methods. the study included 148 male participants aged 12-14 years. the two groups of subjects were compared in terms of their anthropometrics, posture, and motor abilities. Results. Statistically significant differences were observed in subscapular skinfold and triceps skinfold in favour of the young judokas. Judo competitors also demonstrated better functional coordination, flexibility, explosive force of lower limbs, and pelvic and isometric muscular endurance. In addition, judokas were characterized by better postural alignment relative to shoulders, chest, and abdomen. Conclusions. the results suggest that participation in judo in addition to physical education classes builds specific motor and physical characteristics in children that may aid in healthy body development.

Relationship between functional movement screen, athletic and karate performance in adolescents

“…the selected tests of karate performance were also previously validated [3,20,21]; hence, only brief description will be provided. Side-step is a karate modification of the Edgren side-step test.…”

“…Side-step is a karate modification of the Edgren side-step test. the participants were asked to 'shuffle' 6 times the distance of 5 meters as fast as possible while holding the combat karate position, fudo dachi [3,20,21]. the triangle step is used to estimate specific movement speed by moving as fast as possible in a guard position along the sides of an equilateral triangle with 3-m long sides [3,20].…”

“…the participants were asked to 'shuffle' 6 times the distance of 5 meters as fast as possible while holding the combat karate position, fudo dachi [3,20,21]. the triangle step is used to estimate specific movement speed by moving as fast as possible in a guard position along the sides of an equilateral triangle with 3-m long sides [3,20]. the combination of a blockade and a blow, gedan barai/ jaku zuki, is one of the fundamental combinations in karate, and the subjects were asked to perform this combination 5 times at a maximal speed while hitting a bag [3,20].…”

“…in this regard, it is essential for children and adolescents to develop proficiency in fundamental movement skills as building blocks to specialized sport-specific skills required for level progression [2,3]. in most sports, pre-participation screening methods have been widely used to identify these characteristics, in addition to setting performance goals and identifying young athletes potentially at risk of becoming injured [4].…”

“…Hence, exposing young athletes to re-petitive high-volume training without mastering the functional and fundamental movement skills may cause a change in movement patterns, alter motor control, and potentially lead to long-term physical impairment [5][6][7][8]. in martial arts, coordination and motor control required for the execution of technical elements lead to specific adaptations in explosive strength, flexibility, and agility that differ from those in other sports [3,7,9]. these differences are noted not only among sports [7], but also among martial arts disciplines, such as judo, karate, and taekwondo [9].…”