Effects of Combat Sports on Bone Mass: Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective To determine the influence of combat sports on bone mass. Methods A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA method, with searches in the Pubmed, Bireme, Embase and Web of Science databases covering the period 1900 to 2015, using the keywords “martial arts”, “fight”, “combat”, “karate”, “kung fu”, “tae kwon do”, “judo”, “aikido”, “bone mass”, “bone health”, “bone tissue”, “bone density”, and “bone mineral contents”. The articles were searched for and retrieved electronically and manually, by two independent reviewers. Results Seventy-nine articles were identified, of which 25 were duplicates, leaving 54 for reading and evaluation of the titles; next, articles about diseases such as bone and/or orthopedic injuries, maxillofacial, surgeries, fractures, osteoporosis and osteopenia in women, prevention of falls, and physical fitness were excluded, leaving 15 articles. Of the articles selected and retrieved in full, all were published between 2002 and 2015. One article was a case control study; two were longitudinal studies, two were randomized studies; and 10 were cross-sectional studies. A total of 1368 children, adolescents, adults and elderly subjects were involved in combat sports and had bone evaluation by imaging. Factors such as calorie intake, calcium and/or vitamin D, intensity and volume of the exercise, hormonal aspects as bone markers, and characteristics of menopause are not conclusive in relation to bone mass, and further studies are needed. Conclusion The practice of combat sports shows a significant improvement in bone mass at all ages. Level of Evidence III, Therapeutic study – Investigation of treatment results.

Methodology Adapted to the Practice of Judo for Older Men

“…This fact may be due to the break fall techniques (ukemis) used [23]. Another systematic review study (30) shows that combat sports for the elderly, can also be an alternative for improving BMD and other variables of falls risk.…”

Physiological Responses to Combat Sports in Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review

“…The emerging prevalence of metabolic diseases, and the increasing interest of many people in combat sports, lead to the question of whether combat sports, which cover several types of varied intensity training methods, are safe and applicable for people affected by a metabolic disease. Previous studies have shown that combat sports increase physical capacity [15] and improve bone mineral density [16,17].…”