Vestibular Function in Judo Athletes: Evidence of Subclinical Vestibular Dysfunction

Judo is a dynamic combat sport demanding high levels of balance, agility, postural control, and kinesthetic awareness. The vestibular system plays a vital role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation, integrating sensory inputs essential for judo performance. However, few studies have directly examined vestibular function in judo athletes, despite their frequent exposure to head impacts and rapid rotational movements that may affect vestibular integrity.

This study aimed to compare the vestibular functions of active judo athletes with those of healthy controls.

A cross-sectional comparative design was employed.

The study included 26 professional judo athletes (aged 18-23 years, ≥5 years of training experience) and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Vestibular function was assessed using the video head impulse test for semicircular canal function and cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) for otolith organ function. The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) was administered to athletes to assess potential symptoms related to prior minor head impacts. Group comparisons were analyzed using independent-samples t tests, and Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships between vestibular outcomes, PCSS scores, and years of training.

Judo athletes demonstrated significantly reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains across all semicircular canals compared with controls (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups in cVEMP and oVEMP parameters (p > 0.05). PCSS scores were not correlated with vestibular test outcomes or training duration (p > 0.05).

These findings suggest that judo-induced microtraumas may selectively affect semicircular canal function while sparing otolith organ responses. The subclinical decrease in VOR gains in athletes suggests that repeated head accelerations and rotational movements may lead to subclinical VOR alterations even in the absence of overt symptoms.

Subclinical vestibular alterations in athletes may contribute to balance instability and increase injury risk. Routine vestibular screening in contact-sport athletes could support early detection, targeted rehabilitation, and improved long-term postural control.