Judo Across Ages: Coaches' Perspectives on Key Elements of Intergenerational Training Programmes

Andrea Perazzetti¹Flavia Guidotti^2*Laura Capranica^1,3Envic Galea⁴Tibor Kozsla⁴Attilio Sacripanti⁴Nuša Lampe⁵Špela Lampe⁵Iris Spanjol⁶Toma Jelušić⁶Slavisa Bradic⁶Maria-Loredana Lascau⁷Alina Rodica-Borza⁷Raúl Camacho Pérez⁸Fernando Diéguez Rodríguez-Montero⁸Mesut Kapan⁹Kaya Gezeker⁹Katja Rudas¹⁰Mojca Doupona¹¹Angela Magnanini¹Simone Ciaccioni^1,12*

• ¹Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
• ²Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of Quality of Life, University of Rome "San Raffaele", Rome, Italy
• ³Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
• ⁴International Judo Federation Academy Foundation, Malta, Malta, Malta
• ⁵Judo Club Golovec, Ljubljana, Slovenia
• ⁶Zajednica Sportskih Udruga Grada Rijeke “Riječki Sportski Savez”, Rijeka, Croatia
• ⁷Judo Club Liberty Oradea, Oradea, Romania
• ⁸Club de Judo Newton, Sevilla La Nueva, Spain
• ⁹Izmir Alsancak Gymnastics Specialized Sports Club, Izmir, Türkiye
• ¹⁰European Judo Union, Vienna, Austria
• ¹¹Univerza v Ljubljani Fakulteta za sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia
• ¹²Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, Naples, Italy

Judo is an Olympic combat sport and martial art known for promoting physical, psychological, and social well-being across all ages. In line with European initiatives encouraging intergenerational activities, judo presents a valuable opportunity to connect younger and older individuals through shared physical activities. Conducted within the framework of the ERASMUS+ Sport JOY Project, this study explored judo coaches' knowledge, opinions, and experiences to identify key components for designing effective and sustainable intergenerational judo programmes. A survey was distributed to 349 judo coaches (M= 82% and F=18%) affiliated with international judo organisations and clubs to investigate their views on key characteristics, roles, barriers, and facilitators of intergenerational judo, as well as their coaching philosophies and educational needs. Main findings revealed that in such programmes coaches prioritize safety and skill ex-change while promoting social interactions. Significant differences emerged based on coaches' demographics, experience, and education level, particularly regarding their perspectives on coaching roles, communication challenges, and motivational aspects. From a psychological perspective, these programmes foster mutual respect, empathy, and intergenerational understanding, contributing to enhanced mental well-being and a stronger sense of belonging among participants. Indeed, the study provides essential insights to inform the creation of inclusive, engaging, and sustainable training strategies that promote active ageing, mutual learning, and social cohesion through judo.