ASDAdaptedJudoASDNCT07442994
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
A study testing Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups in people with ASD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 7 to 14 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder High-Functioning
- What is being tested?
- Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 2 Sep 2024to 29 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 7 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- judo athlete
- lack of medical clearance to participate in physical exercise, specifically judo
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of Changes in Physical Fitness and Body Composition Following a Tailored Judo Intervention and Nutritional Counseling in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study Incorporating Blood Morphology and Genetic Polymorphism Analysis.
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.
Read the detailed description
Current research demonstrates that judo training, despite being a contact sport, reduces the severity of symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This suggests that, due to its specific format, judo may serve as a valuable therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents with ASD. Consequently, this study plans to implement adapted judo training as a form of therapy for participants aged 7 to 14. The sessions will be conducted over a 10-month period in integrated training groups, comprising both individuals with ASD and neurotypical peers. The objective of this training program is to analyze the effectiveness of environmental adaptation, the overcoming of resistance to interpersonal contact through contact sports, and to perform a comparative analysis of changes in examined variables between the ASD and non-ASD groups.
The training program will be based on movement-based games and activities designed to influence psychosocial behavior, peer interaction, and the acquisition of new motor skills to enhance functional abilities. Furthermore, it will include components of general physical literacy and judo-specific techniques (e.g., safe falling, displacement, applying and escaping holds, body rotations, and off-balancing/kuzushi). Sessions will be held twice weekly for 60 minutes. The study will enroll 50 participants aged 7-14 with a confirmed ASD diagnosis, possessing at least a "fair" level of communication skills and no diagnosed aphasia, alongside a control group of 50 neurotypical individuals. Therapeutic efficacy regarding physical fitness will be assessed through environmental adaptation tests (evaluating social comfort and cooperation), the EUROFIT Test battery, and stabilometric platform measurements.
It has been shown that coaches can influence the conscious healthy eating habits of their trainees; however, there is a lack of such data regarding children and adolescents with ASD. A frequent issue in the ASD population is food selectivity, characterized by the consumption of a highly restricted range of accepted food products. This may lead to micronutrient deficiencies as well as weight and growth disturbances. Therefore, this study proposes an innovative scientific intervention involving nutritional counseling conducted in cooperation with legal guardians, based on the collection of dietary habit data. To evaluate micronutrient status, blood morphology will be performed to analyze levels of iron, vitamin B12, protein, magnesium, and folic acid. These results, combined with body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance (BIA), will facilitate the design of appropriately balanced diets for individual participants.
Existing, though limited, genetic studies in individuals with ASD highlight the importance of identifying targeted, highly effective therapeutic and preventive measures to optimize functional outcomes. Research suggests a correlation between polymorphisms in genes encoding oxytocin receptors or those responsible for its secretion (e.g., the CD38 gene) and the functioning of individuals with ASD. Based on these observations, CD38 gene polymorphisms will be examined in the study participants using real-time PCR genetic analysis. Assessments of physical fitness, body stability, blood morphology, body composition will be conducted at three intervals: baseline (pre-intervention), mid-point, and post-intervention. Genetic polymorphism analysis assessments will be performed once, towards the conclusion of the training process.
- Being tested
- Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups
- Keywords
- JUDO, ASD, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, FITNESS LEVEL, GENETIC POLYMORPHISM, BODY COMPOSITION, NUTRITION CONSULTING, morphology
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groupsCombination 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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| non - ASD | Other | Children and adolescents without a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder participating in integrated groups alongside children and adolescents with ASD. Receives: Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups |
| ASD | Experimental | Not described Receives: Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 10 months
Secondary outcomes (2)
Morphology analysis
The subject will be seated in a comfortable, relaxed position on a prepared chair. The nurse will position the arm downward and proceed with the blood collection procedure. The vein will be punctured, and once blood appears in the test tube, the previously applied tourniquet will be released. Immediately after the procedure, a dry sterile swab will be pressed onto the puncture site until bleeding stops. Following the collection, blood samples will be analyzed for iron, vitamin B12, total protein, magnesium, and folic acid content. These analyses will be conducted by qualified specialists in a professional laboratory.
Blood morphology results will be analyzed in relation to the duration of the training process, changes in physical fitness levels, and body composition parameters.
Measured: 10 months
Genetic Polymorphism Analysis
Buccal swabs will be collected for genetic polymorphism analysis. The subject will be seated in a comfortable position, and the sample will be obtained by rubbing a sterile swab against the oral mucosa. Immediately following collection, the swabs will be placed in sterile tubes and stored in a portable cooler to maintain the required temperature during transport to the laboratory. The CD38 gene polymorphism will be examined to investigate its potential association with changes in physical fitness, body composition and morphology during adapted judo training. Genetic analyses will be conducted using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-Time PCR) method.
Measured: 10 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Mar 2026
- Study start2 Sep 2024
- Primary completion29 Jun 2025
- Study completion29 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ASDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical Education
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science Centre, Poland
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07442994
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- DEC-2024/08/X/NZ5/00942
- Acronym
- AdaptedJudoASD
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of Changes in Physical Fitness and Body Composition Following a Tailored Judo Intervention and Nutritional Counseling in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study Incorporating Blood Morphology and Genetic Polymorphism Analysis.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07442994
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AdaptedJudoASD / DEC-2024/08/X/NZ5/00942
- Keywords
- JUDO, ASD, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, FITNESS LEVEL, GENETIC POLYMORPHISM, BODY COMPOSITION, NUTRITION CONSULTING
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical EducationUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science Centre, Poland
- Study start
- 2 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Current research demonstrates that judo training, despite being a contact sport, reduces the severity of symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This suggests that, due to its specific format, judo may serve as a valuable therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents with ASD. Consequently, this study plans to implement adapted judo training as a form of therapy for participants aged 7 to 14. The sessions will be conducted over a 10-month period in integrated training groups, comprising both individuals with ASD and neurotypical peers. The objective of this training program is to analyze the effectiveness of environmental adaptation, the overcoming of resistance to interpersonal contact through contact sports, and to perform a comparative analysis of changes in examined variables between the ASD and non-ASD groups.
The training program will be based on movement-based games and activities designed to influence psychosocial behavior, peer interaction, and the acquisition of new motor skills to enhance functional abilities. Furthermore, it will include components of general physical literacy and judo-specific techniques (e.g., safe falling, displacement, applying and escaping holds, body rotations, and off-balancing/kuzushi). Sessions will be held twice weekly for 60 minutes. The study will enroll 50 participants aged 7-14 with a confirmed ASD diagnosis, possessing at least a "fair" level of communication skills and no diagnosed aphasia, alongside a control group of 50 neurotypical individuals. Therapeutic efficacy regarding physical fitness will be assessed through environmental adaptation tests (evaluating social comfort and cooperation), the EUROFIT Test battery, and stabilometric platform measurements.
It has been shown that coaches can influence the conscious healthy eating habits of their trainees; however, there is a lack of such data regarding children and adolescents with ASD. A frequent issue in the ASD population is food selectivity, characterized by the consumption of a highly restricted range of accepted food products. This may lead to micronutrient deficiencies as well as weight and growth disturbances. Therefore, this study proposes an innovative scientific intervention involving nutritional counseling conducted in cooperation with legal guardians, based on the collection of dietary habit data. To evaluate micronutrient status, blood morphology will be performed to analyze levels of iron, vitamin B12, protein, magnesium, and folic acid. These results, combined with body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance (BIA), will facilitate the design of appropriately balanced diets for individual participants.
Existing, though limited, genetic studies in individuals with ASD highlight the importance of identifying targeted, highly effective therapeutic and preventive measures to optimize functional outcomes. Research suggests a correlation between polymorphisms in genes encoding oxytocin receptors or those responsible for its secretion (e.g., the CD38 gene) and the functioning of individuals with ASD. Based on these observations, CD38 gene polymorphisms will be examined in the study participants using real-time PCR genetic analysis. Assessments of physical fitness, body stability, blood morphology, body composition will be conducted at three intervals: baseline (pre-intervention), mid-point, and post-intervention. Genetic polymorphism analysis assessments will be performed once, towards the conclusion of the training process.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| non - ASD | Other | Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groupsChildren and adolescents without a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder participating in integrated groups alongside children and adolescents with ASD. |
| ASD | Experimental | Combination Product: Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 7 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- judo athlete
- lack of medical clearance to participate in physical exercise, specifically judo
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groupsThe 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. | Combination product | ASD, non - ASD |
Primary outcome
The European Physical Fitness Test - EUROFIT
Time frame: 10 months
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.
Body Composition
Time frame: 10 months
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.
Postural stability
Time frame: 10 months
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.
2 secondary outcomes
Morphology analysis
Time frame: 10 months
Genetic Polymorphism Analysis
Time frame: 10 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Adapted judo training for children and adeloscence with and without autism spectrum disorder - training in integrated groups in people with ASD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The European Physical Fitness Test - EUROFIT (time frame: 10 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Mar 2026.