Esporte e transformação social: benefícios da prática de judô e wrestling no projeto meninas na luta

Abstract

This study analyzed the benefits provided by the practice of Judo and Wrestling within the Projeto Meninas na Luta (Girls in the Fight Project – PML), aimed at female children and adolescents aged 10 to 17, living in socially vulnerable areas of João Pessoa, Brazil. The research, with a descriptive and mixed-methods approach, included 30 participants and used semi-structured questionnaires as data collection instruments. The results revealed that most of the participants reported significant improvements in physical development, such as strength, flexibility, and motor coordination, as well as positive changes in eating habits and body care. Emotionally, the training sessions contributed to anger management, stress reduction, and increased self-esteem. In the social dimension, highlights included female empowerment, the value of friendship, and a sense of belonging and positive influence within their communities. The study also emphasized the importance of financial support, such as scholarships and institutional aid, to ensure the continuity of these girls in sports practice. It is concluded that sport, especially combat sports, is a powerful tool for social transformation, promoting the holistic development of participants and fostering inclusion, equity, and opportunity in contexts marked by inequality.