Differences between young judokas and untrained subjects in anthropometric and motor features

Abstract

It has been shown that more successful judokas have better motor features than less successful ones [1] , [2] or untrained [3] , [4] . Thus, judo training could be beneficial for the development of children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of additional judo training on anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in school children. The 60 minutes judo treatment was applied twice a week during one school year (9 months) in 35 school boys (8.25 ± 0.28 years). A control group of 37 boys (8.37 ± 1.48 years) trained according to the regular program for school institutions, and did not participate in any other organized physical activity. Treatment effects were assessed by motor ability tests: obstacle course backwards and slalom with 3 balls (coordination), arm plate tapping (motion frequency), sit-and-reach (flexibility), bent-arm hang and sit-ups with crossed arms (muscular endurance), standing broad jump (explosive strength), and 20-m dash (speed of running); and by anthropometric measurements: height, weight, girths (stretched upper-arm, forearm and chest), skinfolds (abdominal, subscapular, triceps). Groups were compared by a t -Student test. Children which performed the judo training had higher girths (Upper-arm and Forearm) than the control group at the end of the school year. In addition, the experimental group had better results in the tests for assessment speed (20-m dash), coordination (obstacle course backwards), motion frequency (arm plate tapping), endurance (bent arm hang), and repetitive strength (crossed-arm sit-ups) than controls. Results point to the importance of physical exercise and the application of additional judo activities in order to improve motor abilities and morphological growth in school children. The development of strength, coordination, speed, and the increase of circular dimensions, likely achieved by the additional judo training, imposes an initiative to implement certain types and principles of judo training into daily physical education lessons at the school level.