Judo-Based Falls Training in Older Adults: An Olympic Fighting Art Is Not Just a Way to Win Medals
Singh K, Malliaropoulos N, Callan M, Kamitani T, Ikumi A, Sakuyama N, Maffulli N. Judo-Based Falls Training in Older Adults: An Olympic Fighting Art Is Not Just a Way to Win Medals. Clin J Sport Med. 2026 Jun 25.
Falls are common, and, in older adults, can be catastrophic. Most fall-related deaths occur in individuals 65 years and older, with falls more generally associated with declines in functional independence and quality of life.1–3 Collectively, falls impose a substantial burden on health care systems worldwide.4 Although conventional fall-prevention strategies may reduce incidence, few consider injury mitigation.5 As such, the concept of safe falling has been relatively overlooked. In the martial art of judo, ukemi (breakfall) techniques are specifically designed to teach judo practitioners how to fall safely. Practised by millions globally, judo and ukemi-based training has been adapted for older adults through various initiatives, including the British Judo Association’s Finding Your Feet program.6 This program aims to reduce fall-related injury risk and alleviate the biopsychosocial consequences that follow. We examine the biomechanical principles underpinning ukemi and explore how their application may reduce the impact of falls in ageing populations.
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