Judo Training for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Physical Fitness and Psychological Indicators (JUDOASD/PA/PSY)

The Impact of Judo Training on Physical Fitness and Psychological Indicators of People With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Physical fitness and psychological indicators are key factors in healthy development. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to have lower levels of physical fitness and mental health than their neurotypical peers. This study examined the effects of 10 months of judo training on physical fitness and psychological indicators in children and adolescents with ASD and neurotypical individuals training in integrated groups. Ninety children and adolescents aged 7-14, with and without ASD, participated in the study. Physical fitness was measured using the EUROFIT test, and psychological indicators were measured using the Staic psychological test and the Juczyński questionnaire.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Combination product: Judo training for people with ASD - training in integration groups with non-ASD people

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to analyze changes in the physical fitness levels of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and generalized self-efficacy, state anxiety, and trait anxiety before, during, and after judo training. In the initial phase, judo training combines fun and active play activities that contribute to the development of psychosocial behaviors, peer interaction, and the acquisition of new motor skills, thus increasing participants' functional abilities.

In the second phase, participants will refine exercises related to general physical fitness and basic judo techniques, and will be instructed in targeted judo exercises. Additionally, paired exercises will be introduced to gradually increase communication skills and observe participants and their behaviors.

In the final, third phase, participants will continue to develop their general physical fitness, but the focus will be on targeted judo exercises. The number of paired exercises will be increased to enhance social communication.

During the project, training sessions will be conducted twice a week for 10 months. The training process will be implemented during the school year to facilitate adaptation to the educational realities in Poland. The aim of the project is to analyze changes in physical fitness during judo training in children and adolescents with ASD, training in an inclusive group with neurotypical individuals.

During the research project, physical fitness will be assessed before, during, and after judo training using the EUROFIT test battery, and psychological indicators will be assessed before and after the judo training program. This research project will enable the assessment of changes in physical fitness and effective functioning in inclusive groups of individuals with ASD and neurotypical individuals.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Poland
  • Poznań
    • Poznan, Poznań, Poland, 61-871
      • AKademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Poznaniu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Group ASD: Male and female participants aged 7-14 years with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), without intellectual disability and without impairments in language functioning.

Group non-ASD: Male and female participants aged 7-14 years without ASD, intellectual disability and without impairments in language functioning.

Exclusion Criteria:

• judo athlete
• lack of medical clearance to participate in physical exercise, specifically judo

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ASD	Combination product: Judo training for people with ASD - training in integration groups with non-ASD people; This is the first long-term (10-month) intervention conducted in integrated settings, where individuals with ASD train in judo alongside their non-ASD peers. This intervention will examine changes in physical fitness levels (general and specific), self-efficacy, and trait and state anxiety among the participants.
Other: non-ASD; Non-ASD children training judo in integration groups with children with ASD	Combination product: Judo training for people with ASD - training in integration groups with non-ASD people; This is the first long-term (10-month) intervention conducted in integrated settings, where individuals with ASD train in judo alongside their non-ASD peers. This intervention will examine changes in physical fitness levels (general and specific), self-efficacy, and trait and state anxiety among the participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The European Physical Fitness Test - EUROFIT	The European Physical Fitness Test (EUROFIT) was used to measure the level of physical fitness. The EUROFIT test was used to measure the level of balance (Flamingo Balance Test), hand movement speed (Tapping Test), explosive power (Standing Long Jump), flexibility (Sit and Reach Test), static strength (Handgrip Dynamometry), trunk strength (Sit-Up Test), functional strength (Flexed-Arm Hang) and agility endurance (10 x 5 m Shuttle Run). The results obtained by the subjects in each term were converted into points, adjusted to the age and gender of the subjects, in accordance with the scoring tables developed for Polish children and adolescents. The better the score obtained by the examined person in relation to the age, the higher level of physical fitness was demonstrated. Depending on the physical fitness test, points ranging from 1 to 100 could be obtained.	10 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
State and Trait Anxiety	Trait anxiety and state anxiety were measured using the Polish adaptation of the STAI-C psychological test, this tool has two scales: C-1 (state anxiety), which assesses anxiety as a temporary and situationally determined individual state, and C-2 (trait anxiety), which assesses anxiety as a relatively stable personality trait. The C-1 test contained 20 questions, to which participants responded on a three-point scale, where 1 meant "Yes," 2 - "Rarely yes," and 3 - "No." The state anxiety questionnaire contained 11 reverse-scored questions. The test result was the sum of points from all questions. The C-2 test contained 20 questions, to which participants responded on a three-point scale, where 1 meant "Rarely," 2 - "Sometimes," and 3 - "Often." The result of this test was the sum of points obtained from all questions. The higher the score, the higher the level of trait and state anxiety. Both STAIC scales contain 20 point items on a three-point scale, maximum 60, minimum 20 points	10 months
General self-efficacy scale	Self-efficacy was measured using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Test (GSES), adapted from Polish by Z. Juczyński. This test measures the strength of an individual's general belief in their ability to cope effectively with difficult situations and obstacles. It consists of 10 questions, to which participants responded using a four-point Likiert scale, where 1 means "no," 2 means "probably not," 3 means "probably yes," and 4 means "yes." The higher the score, the higher their self-efficacy. Maximum points 40, minimum points 10	10 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical Education

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 2, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 29, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 29, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; ASD; adapted physical activity; judo
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: I. Dz. nr 8/IVSIV/W/24 (Registry Identifier: JUDOASD/PA/PSY)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No