JIDP at EJU 7TH SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE
Our JIDP project was well represented by a number of our JIDP colleagues at this year’s EJU Scientific and Professional Conference in Porec, Croatia. These included Jose Morales, Emanuela Pierantozzi, Cristina Curto, Nicole Maussier and Silvia Crema. Jose presented our JIDP project to the esteemed audience, further promoting the concept of using judo as a tool to improving the lives of people across Europe and the world.
In addition to our JIDP project, our colleagues also presented on a number of other related topics, excepts below.
RAPID WEIGHT LOSS IN FEMALE JUDO: ANALYSIS OF METHODS AND TRENDS FROM 1980 TO 2023. – Cristina Curto, Jose Morales, Eduardo Carballeira, Marta Sevilla, Misaki Iteya
Jose Morales Aznar delivered on the study, Rapid Weight Loss in Female Judo: Analysis of Methods and Trends From 1980 To 2023, which aimed to understand athletes’ perceptions of the effects of weight loss on performance and long-term health. The study analysed rapid weight loss methods in female judo athletes from 1980 to the present. A questionnaire based on the Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 Spanish judo team members. The average age of the athletes was 35.6 years, with a weight of 64 kg and 8 years of competitive experience. The prevalence of weight loss methods used over four decades was assessed, highlighting the potential health risks and ethical concerns associated with drastic weight loss in sport. The authors suggest that extreme weight loss practices should be classified as doping because of their health risks, unfair competitive advantage and violation of the principles of sportsmanship (EJU, 2024)
THE INCLUSION OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN SCHOOL THROUGH JUDO AND KARATE: A PILOT STUDY – Nicole Maussier, Emanuela Pierantozzi, Angela Magnanini
Nicole Maussier shared the findings of the study on The Inclusion of Autistic Children in School Through Judo and Karate: A Pilot Study. It has been documented that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are frequently marginalised and are at an elevated risk of social isolation. This study involved 5 ASD children (n= 5 boys) between 6 and 10 years old who all partook in an inclusive judo (n=3) and karate program (n=2) at school with their classmates. Each program included 2 weekly sessions for a period of 12 weeks, with each session lasting 1 hour. This study analysed 3 different areas in autistic children: the level of autism, social compromising and gross motor skills. The conclusion showed that the improvements observed in ASD children had a significant impact on the social inclusion process, confirming the initial hypothesis of this study. The gradual disposition of classmates to interact with their peers and practice judo and karate together facilitated inclusion. The value of specialist training for coaches, which, with the support of psychologists with expertise in autism, enabled them to comprehend the requirements of children with ASD and adapt motor activities in an inclusive setting, was also emphasised. (EJU, THE INCLUSION OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN SCHOOL THROUGH JUDO AND KARATE: A PILOT STUDY, 2024)