Judo and adolescent health promotion: metabolic syndrome parameters in overweight and obese youth

• Autores: Marcelo Bruno da Silva Maceno, Jonathã Luiz Justino da Silva, Leandro Alonso do Espirito Santo, Alynne Christian Ribeiro Andaki, Gustavo R. da Mota, Anna Victória Bernardes e Borges, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Gabriel Fassina Ladeia, Leonardo Vidal Andreato, Donizete Cícero Xavier de Oliveira
• Localización: Cuadernos de Educación y Desarrollo, ISSN-e 1989-4155, Vol. 18, Nº. 1, 2026
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Obesity has increased consistently over the past decades and has become a major public health concern due to its association with cardiometabolic comorbidities. In this context, regular physical activity, such as judo practice, may represent a promising strategy to mitigate the harmful effects of excess weight in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to compare metabolic syndrome parameters in adolescents with overweight or obesity who practice judo and those who do not. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 34 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, classified according to the percentile charts of the World Health Organization. The judo group consisted of 17 participants, matched by age and weight status with 17 non-practitioners. Data collection included anamnesis, anthropometric assessments, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, and blood biomarkers. The results showed no statistically significant differences between groups in anthropometric, cardiovascular, or blood parameters. However, a significant difference was observed in lean body mass, with higher values in the judo group (p = 0.030; Cohen’s d = 0.78). Although no differences were identified in metabolic syndrome markers, the findings suggest that judo practice may be associated with a more favorable body composition, which is an important aspect for health promotion among adolescents.