Effects of martial arts on health status: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective To systematically summarize the evidence for the effects of martial arts on health and fitness, to show the strengths of different types of martial arts, and to get a more complete picture of the impacts of martial arts on health, and also to provide a basis for future research on martial arts as an exercise prescription in exercise therapy. Method We searched for "martial arts" "health" and "random" in eight databases (n = 5432). Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials on the health effects of martial arts were included in the study. Results The final analysis included 28 papers (one general martial arts, one kung fu, sixteen tai chi, six judo, three karate, and one taekwondo). Among the disciplines of martial arts, tai chi was the most well-studied, followed by judo, karate, and taekwondo. Research topics varied widely, and included health, injuries, competition, morals and psychology, and herbal medicine. Most found positive effects on health. Tai chi is no-contact, low-impact, soft body and mindfulness exercise, which has been widely adopted by elderly people and proven to be a beneficial health promotion exercise. Research on judo, karate, and taekwondo mainly focused on improvements to athletes' competitive abilities, rather than on health effects. We did not find any published randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials on aikido, kendo, sumo, kyudo, qi gong, or other disciplines. Discussion and Conclusion Since martial arts are widely practiced, their effects on physiology, morphology, immunology, and neurology should be further studied in order to help people to select the best discipline or style to accomplish their purposes. This necessitates categorizing and classifying the disciplines and styles according to their effects on different body systems and levels of contact, as well as standardizing evaluation criteria for martial arts. Martial arts as an exercise prescription can then move from an experience-based to an evidence-based treatment.

Socio-demographic factors of practising martial arts and combat sports by Warsaw inhabitants

“…It is common knowledge that elements of martial arts are not widely applied in the process of physical education of the Polish youth. In China they are practised regularly by 14.1% of school youth (22.4% of boys and 4.7% of girls) [35], while in the USA -by 8.1% [36]. Our findings show that only 5.4% of Warsaw university students (6.0% of second-year students and 4.8% of fourth-year students) and 4.7% of school students (5.5% of lower-secondary school students and 3.9% of upper-secondary school students) do martial arts.…”

“…Therefore, over 100 million people practise different forms of martial arts all around the world [23]. Are they equally popular in Poland as well?…”

“…The benefits associated with martial arts include the improv ement of circulation [6], physical fitness (strength, en durance, flexibility, movement coordination, agility and body balance) [7] and body posture [8] as well as stress reduction [9,10]. Other advantages include slowing down the following processes: physical efficiency deterioration (with age), the decline in the musculoskeletal system functioning [11], an in creased risk of falls and femur fractures [12].…”

“…Martial arts and combat sports belong to a group of handto-hand combat sports styles (currently there are approximately 200 techniques [1]). Some of them are based on punching (e.g.…”

O wushu como uma ferramenta para o desenvolvimento motor, cognitivo e socioafetivo na escola: um estudo exploratório

“…A filosofia tradicional do wushu como AM, é inclusa na prática através de uma atitude condicionada para melhora da saúde mental e física e dos efeitos positivos relacionados com aumento de eficácia e capacidade (Bu, Haijun, Yong, Chaohiu, Xiaoyuan, & Singh, 2010;Tarabanov, 2011). Particularmente, o wushu obteve expansão da sua prática em meios pedagógicos nos países do Ocidente porque diz respeito não só à luta em si, mas também ao seu significado educacional conectado aos valores chineses associados ao simbolismo natural e com o princípio da existência do ying e yang, ou seja, da interação entre duas forças opostas (Theeboom & Knop, 1999;Verthonghen & Theeboom, 2010;Theeboom et al, 2012;Weng, 1990).…”