Evaluating the effectiveness of an exercise program based on the Adapted Utilitarian Judo program by analyzing fall competence in older adults

Population aging increases the risk of falls, particularly among postmenopausal women, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Research suggests that multifactorial exercise programmes can help reduce this risk. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an exercise program based on Adapted Utilitarian Judo (JUA) in enhancing older adults' ability to safely manage falls; in this study called "fall competence". Fall competence can be defined as having the knowledge how to fall safely, as well as possessing the motor skills and confidence (self-efficacy) to execute it effectively. A quasi-experimental design was used, 22 participants, all female, in the Experimental Group (EG = mean age 75.77 ± 7.12 years) and 23 participants in the Control Group (CG = mean age of 75.96 ± 5.09 years). Self-efficacy and competence in backward (BF) and lateral falls (LF) were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Strömqvist Bååthe Test. Sessions progressed from basic postures to falls from greater heights, all conducted under the guidance of a specialised instructor. Significant improvements in fall competence were observed in the experimental group (EG) after the 12-session intervention. Notable changes were found in backward falls (χ²(1) = 24.9, p = 0.001, V = 0.71) and lateral falls (χ²(1) = 28.6, p = 0.001, V = 0.80), with a large effect size, indicating a significant impact of the intervention on improving fall competence. In conclusion, this research brings to the scientific literature further evidence that judo-inspired exercise programs such as the JUA programme can be an effective tool to improve the quality of life of the older adult by contributing to improving their competences that allow them to remain independent in society.