As declared by the European Commission in 2024, Europe must support both young and old citizens by recognizing their commonalities and embracing their diversity, from their cultural heritage to sport at all levels (European Commission and Micallef, 2024). Whilst solidarity between generations is enshrined in European treaties, the decisions we take today have long-term consequences for the next generations to come. In this context, intergenerational sports programmes represent a promising strategy to stimulate active ageing, strengthen social connections, and link communities with the overarching goal of fostering a healthy and more cohesive society (European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, 2020). Through reciprocal care and shared activities, these intergenerational interactions make older people feel useful by assisting younger generations and maintaining their optimism and vitality (Chiosso, 2012). Particularly through shared sport activities and common learning experiences, each generation can benefit from the knowledge of the others, finding a balance between mutual support and independence (Kolb, 2014).

Among the wide range of sport disciplines, judo, an Olympic sport and traditional Japanese martial art, stands out as a valuable medium for intergenerational engagement. Judo is renowned for promoting both mental and physical health (Drid et al., 2021; Kowalczyk et al., 2023; Palumbo et al., 2023) and it simultaneously serves as a means of cultural transmission and intergenerational human growth, grounded in the traditions of discipline, respect, and physical ability (Kano, 2013). Its inclusive nature appeals to practitioners of all ages, offering diverse benefits such as better functional abilities (Arkkukangas et al., 2021; Odaka et al., 2023; Jadczak et al., 2024), positive anthropometric and walking proficiency (Ciaccioni et al., 2019; Ciaccioni et al., 2020) and improved psychological health (Muiños and Ballesteros, 2015; DelCastillo-Andrés et al., 2018; Kujach et al., 2022). To ensure judo continues to evolve as a lifelong practice, it is crucial to understand how it can foster relationships across different age groups, facilitate the sharing of knowledge, and uphold its core principles.

Building on these premises, the European ERASMUS+Sport EDJCO Project was developed to design and validate an evidence and eminence-based online and self-regulated educational programme tailored for judo coaches for training older practitioners. The project provided comprehensive modules encompassing both theoretical and practical strategies for effective communication, ageing process understanding, and judo techniques adaptation to create inclusive and engaging training conditions (Ciaccioni et al., 2024a). However, current research on the potential of judo as an intergenerational sport activity is in its early development stage. Such activities could provide a valuable framework where experienced practitioners share their knowledge, while younger generations bring fresh perspectives, energy, and adaptability. Building on the judo fundamentals and its core principles of maximum efficiency (Seiryoku-Zenyo) and mutual prosperity (Jita-Kyoei) (Kano, 2013), a recent umbrella review (Ciaccioni et al., 2024b) outlined the key guidelines for intergenerational judo activities, providing an extensive analysis of programmes’ main characteristics, barriers, and facilitators, and highlighting relevant judo coaches’ roles and responsibilities (Table 1).

Given judo’s potential to foster constructive social change through intergenerational interactions rooted in respect and empathy, an urging need emerged for tailored programmes with specific coach training to address intergenerational contexts, which remain unexplored despite existing online courses by the International Judo Federation Academy (IJFA). In response to this call, the new ERASMUS+Sport collaborative partnership ‘Judo connecting Older and Younger generations’ (JOY) Project encompasses international partners from academic institutions and high-level sport organisations. Its goal is to enhance the participation of young and older individuals in intergenerational judo activities for their holistic development and successful ageing, respectively. Within this framework, the present study aimed to gather the opinions, knowledge, and experiences of judo coaches regarding the most relevant aspects to be included in an intergenerational training programme. By examining coaching philosophies, and diverse backgrounds of coaches working in intergenerational judo, this research sought to identify key practices, learning needs, and educational strategies that facilitate knowledge transfer and cooperation between different generations within the judo community.

This study was performed under the ERASMUS+Sport collaborative partnership ‘Judo connecting Older and Younger generations’ (JOY) Project (ERASMUS-SPORT-2023-SCP; number: 101133628), coordinated by the Croatian Judo Klub Rijeka and supported and supervised by the University of Rome ‘Foro Italico’. All data collected through the survey were used anonymously. This study ensures stringent rigor, meaningful coherence, and resonance of results by adhering to excellent research guidelines for methodological procedures on data acquisition and analysis with ethical compliance conforming to the Declaration of Helsinki (Boateng et al., 2018; Rose, 2019), approved by the IRB of the University of Rome ‘Foro Italico’ (CAR 202/2024).

All the participants surveyed in this study were judo coaches involved in the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 sport seasons of their respective judo clubs. Table 2 presents their socio-demographic characteristics, whereas Figures 1–6 report the mean and standard deviations of the items included in the six sections.

Aiming to ground solid foundations for future educational and sport strategies of intergenerational judo activities, this study uncovered relevant opinions, knowledge, and experiences of international judo coaches. The achieved response rate of 16% can be considered acceptable within the context of online surveys in the sport sector, where participation is often voluntary and respondents are typically practitioners with demanding schedules. Similar or lower rates have been reported in studies targeting coaches, athletes, or sport organisations, reflecting common challenges in reaching this population (DiSanti et al., 2019). Moreover, declining response rates have been observed across online research more broadly (Baruch and Holtom, 2008), making the present rate consistent with trends in sport and exercise science surveys that rely on professional networks and email distribution.

Results from the tailored survey reveal a high perceived relevance of all intergenerational key characteristics selected from the literature (Ciaccioni et al., 2024b), with safety and skill exchange emerging as the most important according to the participants’ evaluations (Figure 1). In line with the expectation that an intergenerational judo coach should inspire, guide, and transmit technical skills (Ciaccioni et al., 2024b), the functions of motivator, role model, and technical expert appear to be slightly valued (Figure 2). Moreover, whilst all facilitators are seen as potential means of support and assistance without predominance, the judo coaches indicated physical limitations and lack of motivation and interest as the most influential barriers (Figures 3, 4).

However, coaches’ life experiences impact their daily practice and determine relevant changes in their coaching principles over time (Perazzetti et al., 2023; Barrenetxea-Garcia et al., 2024). Therefore, to guide decision-making overcoming practical problems and favouring consistency in coaching, both vocational and professional sport coaches need to develop their own coaching philosophy (Lyle, 2002; Cassidy et al., 2009). To deepen our knowledge on this aspect, the judo coaches were asked to rate the most influential factors for their coaching philosophy. Experience and mentorship seem to play a crucial role since the highest-rated responses were ‘years of continuous practice as a judo coach’ (32.7%), ‘own experience as a judo athlete’ (19.5%), and ‘having other coaches as mentors’ (19.2%), while formal education appeared less influential (i.e., ‘having a degree in sport sciences’ rated by only 5.7% of participants). In line with previous studies emphasizing the importance of promoting educational initiatives and well-structured planning for coach development (Ciampolini et al., 2020), continuous education seems to assume a crucial role with 46.1% of participants recognizing the value of the courses offered by the IJFA.

This finding suggests that coaching philosophies in judo are shaped far more by practical experience and mentoring than by formal education. Such evidence may reveal a possible gap between the academic content delivered in coach education programmes and the real needs or contexts of judo coaches. It raises relevant questions: are existing educational systems struggling to connect with coaches’ practical realities, or are barriers limiting coaches’ access to meaningful and applied learning opportunities? This contrast may reflect a deeper cultural tension between the traditional, apprenticeship-based pedagogy typical of martial arts (master-disciple learning) and the modern, science-driven model of sports education. While the traditional approach preserves authenticity and lineage, it may also engender scepticism toward formal instruction. Therefore, future training initiatives for judo coaches should aim to balance tradition and innovation, being, as the name ‘judo’ implies, flexible and adaptable (‘ju’), while integrating scientific evidence in a way that respects and complements the heritage of martial arts (Ciaccioni et al., 2025; Lee et al., 2025).

To note, judo coaching philosophy showed to be associated with many factors including: (i) age, confirming that with advancing years the coaches accrue experience, which may influence their approach to training attitudes and styles (Lara-Bercial and Mallett, 2016); (ii) being a former elite athlete, emphasizing how coaching beliefs are influenced by individual competitive experience (Werthner and Trudel, 2006); (iii) a degree in sport sciences, supporting the notion that formal education offers a structured basis for coaching approaches (Nash et al., 2017).

The relationship between lifelong learning, holding a degree in sport sciences, and judo level highlights the critical role of both academic education and technical proficiency in a judo coach’s development. In fact, coaches with a higher level (≥4 dan level) demonstrate a greater propensity to pursue further education and stay updated with the latest coaching methodology (Ciaccioni et al., 2024c). Significant relationships also emerged between salary, coaching experience, judo level, and educational attainment with more experienced coaches and those holding higher dan ranks being more likely to receive a salary, speculating that remuneration is often linked to expertise and reputation within the field.

From a broader perspective, this result may highlight the difference between two professional realities within the judo community: the ‘professional coach,’ often employed and working full-time, and the ‘volunteer or amateur coach.’ The professional coach, being more immersed in everyday practice, tends to adopt a holistic vision of intergenerational programmes (considering aspects such as facilities, community, and participant motivation) while the volunteer coach may focus primarily on technical and pedagogical dimensions. This distinction suggests that educational initiatives should consider the specific profiles and working conditions of different types of coaches. Importantly, salary and workload do not merely represent compensation but act as catalysts for the development of broader pedagogical and managerial skills, ultimately enhancing the quality and sustainability of intergenerational judo programmes.

Recent judo-based research explored various gender differences related to injury risk, physiological parameters, psychological characteristics and performance metrics (Marković et al., 2018; Blanco-García et al., 2021; Prados-Barbero et al., 2024; Türkçapar and Abdirahmanova, 2024). In the present study, male and female participants differed significantly in their views on inclusion, role models, and technical expertise in judo coaching with men placing greater emphasis on inclusion, while women prioritizing technical competence and the coach’s role as a model. These differences may reflect broader gender-related perspectives, with men potentially focusing more on structural aspects such as accessibility and participation, whereas women may place greater value on relational and competence-based qualities, possibly due to the historically greater challenges they face in accessing high-quality coaching and role models in sport contexts (Miarka et al., 2011; Da Silva et al., 2023).

Beyond these observed differences, such patterns may also represent adaptive strategies within a historically male-dominated martial arts environment. Female coaches, striving for legitimacy, may prioritize technical excellence and ethical conduct (being a role model), whereas male coaches, already operating from a position of established authority, may have the freedom to focus more broadly on inclusion and structure. This interpretation suggests that gender-related differences in perception might not merely reflect preferences but adaptive responses to systemic dynamics within judo. Therefore, policies and educational programmes should consider gender and power relations in order to foster more equitable and effective learning and coaching environments.

Moreover, as coaches age, their priorities appear to shift. With an accumulated experience, they may focus increasingly on tutoring and inspiring athletes, whereas mid-career coaches maintain a stronger emphasis on fostering social relationships within the coaching environment. In fact, compared to younger counterparts (≤39 years), older coaches (≥50 years) placed greater value on intergenerational mentorship and demonstrated heightened awareness for the negative impact of lack of motivation on athletes, but emphasized social interactions less than coaches aged between 40 and 49. These results reflect previous studies showing that coaches, especially those working with older adults, recognize the need for innovative methods to improve athletes’ experiences (Ciaccioni et al., 2024a). This includes creating environments and educational opportunities where safety, enjoyment, social bonds, and learning are all connected to better support athletes’ development, morality and personality formation as well as wellbeing (Kolb, 2014; Hryban and Filina, 2022). Whilst coaches with lower rank (1–3 dan) prioritized safety more strongly, their higher rank (≥4 dan) counterparts expressed greater concern about communication and language barriers, likely reflecting their broader involvement in international context. To note, despite national variations in the 206 member Countries included in the International Judo Federation, worldwide dan promotions combine randori (i.e., free practice combat exercise), kata (i.e., formally codified practice exercise), and either competitive achievements or technical demonstrations, with increasing requirements for higher dan ranks (Calmet et al., 2024).

Concerning athletic career-related differences in perceived key-aspects of judo intergenerational activities, in this study former elite coaches attributed less importance to the coach’s role model function compared to their non-elite counterparts. Actually, the literature highlights that high-level judo coaches’ perspectives are shaped by their combined experiences as athletes and coaches, relying on both traditional and modern methodologies as well as on a complex set of personal believes on physical, technical, tactical and psychological elements needed for high-level performance achievements (Santos et al., 2015).

Another important aspect considered in the present study is the influence of the number of weekly hours that coaches dedicate to intergenerational judo activities. Coaches with higher weekly coaching volumes place greater importance on their roles as technical expert and community builder, suggesting that frequent and active involvement in intergenerational coaching sharpens their recognition of the need for technical competence and the ability to foster community dynamics. Moreover, they also showed a great awareness of environmental and infrastructure-related barriers (e.g., facility limitations or unfavourable training conditions). Conversely, coaches with low or no weekly coaching activity appeared less focused on these aspects, likely due to their limited practical exposure to the specific challenges encountered during regular intergenerational practice.

Salary represents another critical factor for judo athletes, coaches, and referees as it supports their professionalization, sustains long-term engagement, and acknowledges their expertise and contributions to the development of the sport (Kim and Shin, 2014; Perondi et al., 2022; Ciaccioni et al., 2024c). Therefore, employment conditions were also explored to understand the related influence on the coaches’ believes. Indeed, a professional engagement with a salary seems to allow coaches to attribute a great importance to social interactions, to demonstrate a high awareness of the physical limitations of the practitioners, and to place a relevant value to the shared passion for sport engagement and judo practice. This pattern suggests that employed coaches may develop a broad perspective on their coaching role in establishing and nurturing interpersonal relationships, recognizing both the physical and psychosocial dimensions of an effective intergenerational practice (Ciaccioni et al., 2024c). Also, the educational background appears to shape coaches’ perceptions of key competencies and values (Junior et al., 2024). Within intergenerational judo activities, coaches with a mid-level academic background might consider community building very important, suggesting that education could enhance their understanding of aspects relevant to community dynamics. Furthermore, it could be possible to speculate that coaches without a specific higher education in sport sciences emphasize collaboration and adaptability, which reflect their reliance on practical skills, whereas coaches with a higher education in other areas might prioritize mutual respect and passion for sport, being primarily influenced by their past experience as judo athletes (Guidotti et al., 2023a; Guidotti et al., 2023b; Ciaccioni et al., 2024c).

Despite its valuable findings, this study has several limitations that should be noted. The international approach of this work could limit the generalizability of the findings to specific geographic or cultural contexts. Furthermore, the survey applied in the present study was based on quantitative data with only one open-ended question, which allowed to collect information on a wide range of topics but reduced the possibility to deepen our understanding on the reasons behind responses. Finally, the survey involved only coaches, without taking into consideration the practitioners’ or athletes’ point of view. Therefore, future studies should consider the adoption of mixed methods approaches, including in-depth interviews or focus groups, to better understand the complexity of coaches’ experiences. Also, the findings could benefit from the insights of the young and older practitioners, which could ensure a thorough understanding of the programme effectiveness. Also, longitudinal studies are recommended to assess how educational interventions and intergenerational programmes impact coaches’ philosophies and practices over time. For example, intervention studies testing specific educational modules or training strategies could further validate best practices for promoting inclusive, sustainable, and effective intergenerational judo programmes across different contexts. Moreover, as this study represents the first application of the proposed survey tool, a full psychometric validation was beyond its scope. Future research should therefore aim to further validate the instrument’s structure, reliability, and cross-cultural applicability. In addition, future investigations should explore how intergenerational coaching philosophies evolve through time, and how specific educational or mentoring interventions can foster positive changes in coaching attitudes and behaviours. Mixed-method or longitudinal designs would be particularly useful to capture these dynamic processes and to provide richer, evidence-based recommendations for coach education and policy development.

The present study adopted ecologically valid settings, considering real-world scenarios (Pernigoni et al., 2024) that can inform the development of specific training strategies for intergenerational judo (Ciaccioni et al., 2024b). These findings offered valuable suggestions regarding the opinion of judo coaches on intergenerational judo activity. By identifying coaches’ perceptions on key characteristics, roles, barriers, and facilitators of intergenerational judo programmes, this work provided a framework for developing tailored educational strategies that foster cooperation between younger and older generations in judo and stimulated further research in this area. In particular, the present results highlight the importance of integrating elements such as safety, mentorship, social interactions, and mutual respect, which are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of intergenerational judo programmes, contributing to the goal of promoting active ageing and social cohesion between generations through sport.