Adapted Utilitarian Judo: The Adaptation of a Traditional Martial Art as a Program for the Improvement of the Quality of Life in Older Adult Populations

Óscar DelCastillo-Andrés, Luis Toronjo-Hornillo, María Teresa Toronjo-Urquiza, Javier Cachón Zagalaz and María Del Carmen Campos-Mesa
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Óscar DelCastillo-Andrés: Physical Education and Sports Department, University of Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
Luis Toronjo-Hornillo: Physical Education and Sports Department, University of Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
María Teresa Toronjo-Urquiza: European Judo Union, 22180 Vienna, Austria
Javier Cachón Zagalaz: Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
María Del Carmen Campos-Mesa: Physical Education and Sports Department, University of Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain

Societies, 2018, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: This article reports on the Adapted Utilitarian Judo project. The use of the foundations and technical elements of traditional Judo, adapted and contextualised to the requirements of the older adult population, orienting the activity toward the field of health and the improvement of the quality of life of the older adult. Its mission is to facilitate maintaining and improving the functionality and autonomy of this population, with respect to the performance of the basic and instrumental activities of daily life. At the same it seeks to achieve this while maintaining the essence of the values that are inherent to the practice of Judo as a traditional martial art. It is argued that Judo, once adapted to focus on a utilitarian function, not only allows to actively influence aspects such as maintaining the physical qualities of the elderly but also fosters other key elements for active and healthy ageing by participating in an ongoing group activity, such as socialisation and self-esteem. More specifically, the paper presents how adapted Judo represents an innovation in the treatment of a risk factor associated with aging: the active prevention of falls. We conclude that Adapted Utilitarian Judo (JUA) is both a timely and relevant as a social and educational tool of great value, responds to propos called for by the international scientific community for programs aimed at improving the health and quality of life of the older adult population, especially in Europe, that is ageing at a fast pace.

Keywords: Adapted Utilitarian Judo Program; fall; fragility; older adults; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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