Citation

Ciaccioni S, Capranica L, Forte R, Chaabène H, Pesce C, Condello G. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-12.

Affiliation

Graduate Institute of Sports Training, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Taipei, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2018-0341

PMID

31034297

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a four-month judo training (1-hr session, bi-weekly) on physical and mental health of older adults (69.7±4.2 years). Participants (N=30) were assigned to a judo novice practitioners group (JG=16) or a control group (CG=14), which did not receive any training. Before and after the programme, they underwent anthropometric (Body Mass Index, 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 JG showed reductions of waist circumference (Δ=-1%, d=.2), and improvements for lower and upper body flexibility (Δ=+69%, d=.4 and Δ=+126%, d=.5, respectively) and strength (Δ=+12%, d=.6 and Δ=+31%, d=1.6, respectively). The CG showed a decline in lower-body strength (Δ=-12%, d=.8). Psychological variables did not reveal statistically significant effects. Judo seems beneficial for improving anthropometric and functional fitness variables, relevant aspects of successful aging.

Language: en

Keywords

combat sports; mental health; physical health; quality of life; successful aging