REGISTRO DOI: 10.69849/revistaft/ar10202204011710
Raphael Fellipe Figueiredo de Freitas
Abstract
Judo has emerged as a transformative sport for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), offering a range of physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. Its structured environment, characterized by clear rules and defined movements, provides a safe space conducive to the development of these children. Physically, judo enhances motor coordination, muscle strength, and balance, which are often challenging for children with ASD and ADHD. The sport’s techniques require concentration and motor control, skills that can be applied in academic and everyday contexts. Additionally, judo serves as a controlled outlet for the hyperactivity often associated with ADHD, fostering a productive energy release. Emotionally, judo builds self-esteem and confidence. For children with ASD, who may struggle with communication and social interactions, judo offers a nurturing environment that allows them to progress at their own pace. The sense of achievement from belt promotions reinforces their competence. Furthermore, judo instills essential values such as mutual respect and cooperation, crucial for developing social skills. Children with ASD benefit from structured interactions, enhancing their ability to interpret social cues and build trust, while children with ADHD learn impulse control and emotional regulation through adherence to the sport’s rules and rituals. Research supports these findings, with studies indicating improved physical fitness, attention, and social skills among children with ASD participating in adapted judo programs. Overall, judo serves as a powerful tool for the holistic development of children with ASD and ADHD, promoting mental and physical well-being while encouraging social inclusion.
Keywords: Judo; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Social Skills; Holistic Development.
Judo has emerged as a transformative sport for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), yielding a variety of physical, emotional, social, and cognitive advantages. Its structured environment, characterized by established rules and defined movements, creates a safe and organized space conducive to the development of these children. Physically, judo enhances motor coordination, muscle strength, and balance, which often pose challenges for children with ASD and ADHD. The regular execution of judo techniques necessitates concentration and motor control, skills that can be applied in various life contexts, including academic and everyday activities. Furthermore, by providing an outlet for energy in a controlled manner, judo mitigates the hyperactivity frequently associated with ADHD, fostering a productive setting for energy release.
In addition to physical benefits, judo promotes sustained attention, as participants must concentrate on both their instructors and their opponents. This focus can significantly enhance the ability of children with ADHD to maintain attention over extended periods. Emotionally, judo plays a vital role in building self-esteem and confidence. For children with ASD, who often encounter obstacles in communication and social interactions, judo offers a nurturing environment where they can progress at their own pace, learning to navigate challenges and frustrations. The visible advancement through belt promotions reinforces a sense of achievement and competence, crucial for bolstering self-confidence. Moreover, judo instills core values such as mutual respect and cooperation, which are essential for developing social skills. Children with ASD, who may struggle with interpreting social cues, benefit from the structured interactions that judo provides, helping them build trust and enhance interpersonal communication. The physical contact and constant engagement on the mat foster friendships and strengthen social capabilities. For children with ADHD, judo serves as an effective tool for controlling impulsivity and regulating emotions. The sport’s adherence to specific rules and rituals disciplines both body and mind, imparting the importance of impulse control, timing, and handling victories and defeats gracefully.
Source: ADHD Centre (2021).
Through the amalgamation of these physical, emotional, and social benefits, judo proves to be a potent instrument for the holistic development of children with ASD and ADHD. It creates an inclusive and disciplined atmosphere that significantly enhances the quality of life for these children, promoting both mental and physical well-being while encouraging social inclusion. Research conducted by Ludyga et al. (2022) explored the behavioral and neurocognitive effects of judo training on response inhibition in very preterm children and those with ADHD, revealing that judo training resulted in reduced response errors and improved attention in very preterm children. However, similar benefits were not noted in children with ADHD, suggesting that neurodevelopmental conditions might affect the cognitive advantages gained from the sport.
Further investigations, such as the study by Pierantozzi et al. (2022), evaluated the long-term impacts of an adapted judo program on the physical fitness of children with ASD, finding that consistent participation significantly improved their cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. Rivera, Renziehausen, and Garcia (2020) conducted an 8-week judo program that showed parental reports of enhanced social skills and self-esteem among children with ASD, despite no significant changes in standardized behavioral assessments. Garcia et al. (2019) found that an 8-week judo intervention increased the percentage of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, emphasizing the program’s potential benefits for youth with ASD.
Moreover, Morales et al. (2022) examined the long-term effects of adapted judo on motor skills and psychosocial abilities in children with ASD, showing significant improvements across various assessments after participation in the program. Morales et al. (2021) also investigated the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on children with ASD involved in judo training, revealing that while there were substantial improvements during the judo intervention, these gains were reversed during the lockdown, likely due to increased stress and sedentary behavior. Finally, the pilot study by Lockard, Dallara, and O’Malley (2022) highlighted that 62.5% of parents observed overall improvements in their children’s behavior and social skills after participating in judo, reinforcing the sport’s potential to enhance the long-term quality of life for children with developmental disabilities.
In summary, the practice of judo proves to be an effective and comprehensive approach to support the development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The physical, emotional, and social benefits provided by the sport not only contribute to the improvement of motor skills and concentration but also promote self-confidence, socialization, and self-control. Recent research corroborates the effectiveness of adapted judo programs, demonstrating significant advances in the physical health and psychosocial well-being of these young individuals. The inclusion and discipline inherent in judo create an environment conducive to learning and interaction, favoring considerable improvements in quality of life. Therefore, judo is not just a physical activity but a powerful tool that can transform the lives of children with ASD and ADHD, helping them develop essential skills that will accompany them throughout their lives.
References
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