Methodology Adapted to the Practice of Judo for Older Men

Abstract

Our study presents a methodological proposal for the practice of judo as a viable, alternative exercise method to improve the health of older men and seniors. Bibliographic survey was utilized to analyze the results. A number of studies attempt to adapt the practice of judo to enhance different health variables in middle-aged and elderly men. The proposal of adapting judo methodology to older men was conceived based on these studies. The methodological proposal presented in this study corroborates the health and quality of life needs of judo enthusiasts, in addition to providing an opportunity for exercise that is normally appealing to men. In this respect, the methodological adaptations described in the present study may be an effective and viable way to prevent disease, maintain and promote health and quality of life, applying an exercise method that uses adapted judo training.

Risks and Benefits of Judo Training for Middle-Aged and Older People: A Systematic Review

“…Since the first study addressing the effects of judo training on the bone mineral density, balance, and quality of life in postmenopausal women published in 2012, the interest towards the study of positive effects/risks of judo training for middle aged and older people increased (2012–2017: n = 11 studies, 2018–2022: n = 12 studies), with a peak in 2020 ( n = 5). Three types of study design emerged: (i) experimental ( n = 10 non-randomised controlled trials: 43.5%) [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]; (ii) observational ( n = 7 cross-sectional studies: 30.4%) [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]; and (iii) methodological ( n = 6 research notes: 26.1%) [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Specific information on judo training emerged in 13 studies only, reporting a duration of 7 ± 6 (range = 2–24) months, a weekly training volume was 2 ± 1 (range = 1–3) sessions, with each session lasting 61 ± 17 (range = 45–120) minutes.…”

“…Conversely, a lack of procedures for updating the guidelines and discussion of potential organisational barriers in applying the recommendations emerged. Most of the studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ] (83%) provided a specific description of the questions covered in the guidelines, piloted the guidelines among end users, and allowed for an easy identification of the key recommendations. Furthermore, 50% of the studies [ 54 , 56 , 57 ] sought participants’ views and preferences, providing clear criteria for selecting evidence.…”

“…Most of the studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ] (83%) provided a specific description of the questions covered in the guidelines, piloted the guidelines among end users, and allowed for an easy identification of the key recommendations. Furthermore, 50% of the studies [ 54 , 56 , 57 ] sought participants’ views and preferences, providing clear criteria for selecting evidence. Only two studies [ 36 , 54 ] provided a clear definition of target users of the guidelines, used systematic methods to search for evidence, and presented key review criteria for monitoring and audit purposes.…”

“…Only two studies [ 36 , 54 ] provided a clear definition of target users of the guidelines, used systematic methods to search for evidence, and presented key review criteria for monitoring and audit purposes. Only for 67% of studies [ 52 , 53 , 55 , 56 ] were the guidelines reviewed by external experts before publication, whereas 33% of studies did not present different options for the management of judo training [ 37 , 56 ] and did not support the guideline with tools for application [ 54 , 57 ]. Only one study [ 55 ] considered the potential cost implications of applying the recommendations, with 50% of the studies [ 52 , 55 , 56 ] being editorially independent from the funding body and reporting no conflicts of interest.…”

“…Figure 2 shows an overview of the applied guidelines issued from the methodological studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Health and risks emerged as the most frequent keywords connected to judo training, with social health appearing in all the studies, followed by quality of life and active aging (67%), physical health (50%), and mental health (33%).…”