Risk assessment in different Judo techniques for children and adolescent athletes

Judo is a combat sport that involves throwing the opponent onto the back. When being thrown, head biomechanics may be related to head injury risk. This study aimed to assess head injury risks associated with four Judo techniques in children and adolescents with different experience levels. Twenty children (<12 years) and 20 adolescents (≥ 12 years) judoka were recruited. Each group was divided into non-expert and expert. Two inertial sensors were fixed on fallers' head and torso. Two backward (o-soto-gari and o-uchi-gari) and two forward (ippon-seoi-nage and tai-otoshi) techniques were performed. Peak of linear and angular head acceleration magnitude, impact time duration, neck angle, and the Gadd Severity Index were assessed. Children did not show differences between techniques or experience levels. In contrast, adolescents showed greater linear acceleration peak in o-soto-gari than tai-otoshi (p = 0.03), greater angular acceleration peak in o-soto-gari and o-uchi-gari than ippon-seoi-nage (p < 0.05), and greater neck flexion in o-uchi-gari than ippon-seoi-nage (p = 0.004). Compared to expert adolescents, non-expert adolescents showed greater angular acceleration peak, impact duration, and the Gadd Severity Index in o-soto-gari (p < 0.05) and greater neck extension in o-uchi-gari (p = 0.02). Current results pointed out higher risks for adolescents judoka while being thrown with backward techniques, especially for non-expert participants. This study highlights the need of training athletes in controlling head and neck during back falls from a young age to become expert judoka in adulthood.