Hello,
My name is Sho Ito, and I run Wrestling Lab.
I’m currently writing a book titled “Understanding the Strength of Japanese Wrestling”, which will be published on Kindle in December 2025.
In this note series, I share insights from the writing process, as well as thoughts on wrestling—viewed through a scientific lens, in a clear and accessible way.
“Is wrestling only a sport for getting stronger?”
This study offers a fresh perspective that may expand our understanding of wrestling’s potential.
In 2012, a study titled
“The Practice of Olympic Wrestling as a Mechanism of Behavior Modification in Elementary School Special Education Students”
was published. It investigated whether Olympic-style wrestling could contribute to behavioral improvements in children attending special education classrooms.
Introduction: Before We Explore This Study
This note introduces a research project that examined how wrestling might benefit students in special education settings.
That said, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when reading individual research findings like this:
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The study did not include a control group, so we cannot make strong claims about causality.
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We cannot say for certain whether wrestling had a unique effect. It’s possible that any physical activity, like soccer or basketball, might have led to similar results.
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In short, this is just one study. It should not be taken as a universal conclusion.
Still, I believe this study reveals a new kind of value in wrestling. Let me share its details and significance below.
Overview: A 10-Week Wrestling Program for Students with Special Needs
This research was published by José E. Betancourt et al. in 2012.
◆ Participants & Methods
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Participants: 16 elementary school students in a special education class (about 86% were diagnosed with ADHD)
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Duration: 10-week wrestling-based physical activity program
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Activities: A combination of wrestling techniques, gymnastics, and physical games
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Assessment: Observational evaluations by students themselves, their homeroom teachers, and wrestling coaches (pre- and post-program)
◆ Key Findings
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All evaluators reported significant behavioral improvements
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Specific improvements included: better self-control, focus, peer interaction, and rule-following
Two Key Takeaways
1. Wrestling Was Introduced as Play, Not Instruction
Wrestling was not just about learning techniques—it was presented as a space where children could be themselves and express their energy freely.
That sense of freedom may have been a key factor in improving their behavior.
2. Positive Changes Were Also Seen in the Classroom
According to homeroom teachers, students showed better concentration, turn-taking, and consideration for others in the classroom as well.
This suggests that wrestling may have helped not just on the mat, but in broader aspects of school life.
My Perspective: Shedding Light on the Social Value of Wrestling
Reading this study made me reflect again on a fundamental question:
“What is the true value of wrestling?”
It may not be just about victory or athletic performance.
Wrestling might have the power to positively influence a person’s behavior or emotional development.
If that’s the case—even partly—it deserves more attention than it currently receives.
Through wrestling, children move their bodies freely, interact with others, and express themselves in a way that is uniquely physical.
These experiences can serve as powerful tools for learning self-regulation, especially in educational settings.
In my upcoming book, Understanding the Strength of Japanese Wrestling, I hope to highlight these “values beyond the competition” as well.
Studies like this, while limited in scale, offer big insights for how wrestling could one day be used in educational or therapeutic environments.
Reference
José E. Betancourt et al. (2012)
The Practice of Olympic Wrestling as a Mechanism of Behavior Modification in Elementary School Special Education Students
→ https://www.academia.edu/81196486/The_Practice_of_Olympic_Wrestling_as_a_Mechanism_of_Behavior_Modification_in_Elementary_School_Special_Education_Students
📘 Understanding the Strength of Japanese Wrestling will be published on Kindle in December 2025.
📱 Follow for updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and research highlights:
X (Twitter): @wrestlinglab_jp
Instagram: @wrestlinglab_jp
—Sho Ito
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