The Effects of Tailored Judo Training and Nutritional Counseling on Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Children With Autism: A Study Including Blood Morphology and Genetic Analysis

NCT07442994 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: DEC-2024/08/X/NZ5/00942
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present research project aims to testing adapted judo training as a form of supportive developmental therapy, combined with nutritional counseling, to influence physical fitness, dietary habits, body composition, body stability, and blood morphology-while accounting for genetic polymorphisms-among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who possess functional communication skills and no diagnosed aphasia. The study hypothesizes that a therapeutic intervention consisting of adapted judo training integrated with nutritional guidance will significantly enhance the functional capacity of children and adolescents with ASD.

Conditions

ASD; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder High-Functioning; Autism Spectrum

Keywords

JUDO; ASD; AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; FITNESS LEVEL; GENETIC POLYMORPHISM; BODY COMPOSITION; NUTRITION CONSULTING; morphology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The European Physical Fitness Test - EUROFIT

  The European Physical Fitness Test (EUROFIT) will be used to measure the level of physical fitness. The EUROFIT test will be employed to assess various components, including 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 ($10 \\times 5$ m Shuttle Run).The results obtained by the subjects in each term will be converted into points, adjusted to the age and gender of the participants, in accordance with the scoring tables developed for Polish children and adolescents. The better the score obtained by the examined person in relation to their age, the higher the level of physical fitness that will be demonstrated. Depending on the specific physical fitness test, subjects will be able to obtain points ranging from 1 to 100.

  10 months

• Body Composition

  Body composition will be evaluated using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. The measurements will be performed with a professional multi-frequency analyzer - Tanita. The following parameters will be recorded for each participant: Fat Mass (FM), Fat-Free Mass (FFM), Total Body Water (TBW), and Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM). The measurements will be taken in the morning, in a fasting state. Participants will stand barefoot on the analyzer electrodes according to the standardized measurement protocol. Body composition changes will be analyzed with adjustments for age and baseline measurements.

  10 months

• Postural stability

  Postural stability will be assessed using the CQStab2P stabilometric platform. The device will record the Center of Pressure (COP) position using six sensors. The measurement will last 30 seconds in a free-standing position (arbitrary, non-forced foot placement) with eyes open, and 30 seconds in a free-standing position with eyes closed. The platform will be placed 10 cm from the wall, and subjects will focus their gaze on a point in front of them. Prior to the measurement, subjects will be rested and will not have performed a warm-up. The analysis of changes in postural stability will be one of the elements evaluating the impact of the intervention on the participants' fitness levels. It will be analyzed whether judo training leads to a reduction in body sway in a standing position, both with eyes open and eyes closed.

  10 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Morphology analysis

  10 months

• Genetic Polymorphism Analysis

  10 months

Study Arms (2)

non - ASD

OTHER

Children and adolescents without a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder participating in integrated groups alongside children and adolescents with ASD.

Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups

ASD

EXPERIMENTAL

Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups

Interventions

Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups COMBINATION_PRODUCT

The innovation long - term (10 months) intervention conducted in an integration groups, where children and adolecence with ASD train judo, together with their neurotypical peers. The sessions would be implemented over a period of 10 months in combined training groups, ensuring that individuals with ASD and those without such a diagnosis train together. The trainings would take place twice a week for 60 minutes each. This intervention will allow for the examination of changes in physical fitness levels, body composition, and the effects of nutritional counseling following the completion of the adapted judo training program among participants. Analyses of blood morphology and genetic polymorphism will constitute additional, previously unexamined variables related to the potential for functional improvement in individuals with ASD following an intervention conducted in integrated groups.

ASD; non - ASD

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Physical Education: lead
• National Science Centre, Poland: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Poznań University of Physical Education

Poznan, Poznań, 61-871, Poland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 20, 2026
• First Posted: March 2, 2026
• Study Start: September 2, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 29, 2025
• Study Completion: June 29, 2025
• Last Updated: March 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

PL (1)