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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Are the 'hard' martial arts, such as the Korean martial art, TaeKwon-Do, of benefit to senior citizens?

Falls are a leading cause of death in the elderly. Associated with aging is a loss of muscular strength, flexibility, and coordination. Regular exercise is widely believed to be of benefit for the elderly. To this end, various exercise regimes have been employed to battle the associated problems of aging. One such has been the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi Chuan (TC). TC as an exercise system uses slow smooth movements to train the body in balance, endurance, and strength. For this reason, it is known as a 'soft' martial art, in that it is very non-impact oriented. There have been a variety of studies in the West examining the beneficial effects of TC. However, to date, there have been no studies with senior citizens using other martial arts, of which, TC is but one. The present study was designed to examine the appropriateness and effects of a Korean martial art known as TaeKwon-Do (TKD), a 'hard' martial art, on an elderly population measuring similar parameters reported for TC. Of those participants that attended >85% of classes, an increase was observed in the average number of push-ups, trunk flexion, and balance time on each foot. TKD proved effective at increasing one-leg balance in the population examined. Additionally, the overall dropout rate was extremely low suggesting both that the elderly are capable of participating in a hard martial art and that they have an interest in it as a viable alternative to other forms of exercise. The present study suggests that TKD as a form of exercise for an elderly population is both viable and potentially popular and warrants further study.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1981

Chinese medicine and martial arts.

Wushu (Martial Arts), mistakenly known in the West as Kung-Fu, is a system of Chinese boxing which is closely linked with the traditional practice of Chinese medicine. Many of the masters (Sifu) are Chinese physicians who often recommend health exercises and the soft form of martial arts to their patients, while the hard form is suitable for sport and self-defense. Martial arts is a great discipline for body and mind, suitable for all who treasure physical and mental health.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Martial arts.

The martial arts have a reputation for being a high-risk activity, but are generally practiced in a safe environment. This article presents the results of a survey which is used to calculate risk of injury per 1000 hours of practice. The injury rate compares favorably with other mainstream activities; in fact, the martial arts are generally considered safer than most. The most common injuries occur to the wrist, hand, finger, foot, knee, head, and thigh. Special issues of importance for prevention and treatment of these injuries are discussed.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed2006

Instrumented sparring vest to aid in martial arts scoring.

Competitors in certain martial arts, such as Taekwondo, are required to wear protective vests during competition. This article outlines the design and fabrication of an instrumented martial arts sparring vest that will aid in martial arts scoring, which is currently a work in progress. After fabrication, this instrumented vest and associated system will not only provide the same protection as before modification, but will also report the location and force magnitude of strikes applied to the vest. This will aid in scoring of martial arts competitions, as it will determine if a strike is forceful enough to be considered deliberate and therefore is a valid point-scoring strike. This will make scoring of competitions unbiased and equal for all competitors, something that is difficult to achieve based solely on a judge's assessment by observation. The system will also indicate the probable injury resulting from a strike, for example, no injury, bruising or bone fracture. If a competitor's strike force is excessive and serious injury could result, the system will indicate this so action can be taken, such as penalty or disqualification of a competitor. Both tissue testing and force testing will be conducted prior to vest fabrication to determine estimates of forces that will damage tissue and typical forces experienced during competition. After testing is complete, the system will be fabricated and the testing results will be implemented into the associated software.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed2005

Risk of cervical injuries in mixed martial arts.

BACKGROUND: Mixed martial arts have rapidly succeeded boxing as the world's most popular full contact sport, and the incidence of injury is recognised to be high. OBJECTIVE: To assess qualitatively and quantitatively the potential risk for participants to sustain cervical spine and associated soft tissue injuries. METHODS: Four commonly performed manoeuvres with possible risks to the cervical spine were analysed with respect to their kinematics, and biomechanical models were constructed. RESULTS: Motion analysis of two manoeuvres revealed strong correlations with rear end motor vehicle impact injuries, and kinematics of the remaining two suggested a strong risk of injury. Mathematical models of the biomechanics showed that the forces involved are of the same order as those involved in whiplash injuries and of the same magnitude as compression injuries of the cervical spine. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is a significant risk of whiplash injuries in this sport, and there are no safety regulations to address these concerns.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Psychological research on the martial arts: an addendum to Fuller's review.

Most psychological research on the martial arts has been conducted from a positivist stance, and Fuller's (1988) review of research reflected a positivist tone while suggesting that therapeutic influences may be achieved from martial arts training methods abstracted from their traditional setting. This addendum cites two important contextual problems influencing martial arts research. First, the martial arts are influenced by Oriental styles of thinking such as Taoism and Zen Buddhism that are difficult to grasp from a Western positivist point of view. We suggest that phenomenology seems to have some stylistic parallels with Oriental thinking and appears to offer the Westerner a point of entry toward understanding the martial arts as Oriental arts. Second, the cultural and psychological values and meanings of the Oriental martial arts may change when situated in a Western context, thus changing their method, content, and therapeutic influence. We suggest that a non-positivist and context-sensitive approach such as phenomenology might clarify the contextual intricacy of the martial arts and thereby facilitate improved theoretical foundations and empirical research of martial arts participation as a psychological phenomenon.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

PubMed2006

The martial arts.

Given the increasing popularity of the martial arts, it is likely that physicians in all specialties encounter patients who participate. From pediatric patients, to geriatric patients, to those living with various disabilities, the martial arts may offer physical, psychologic, and therapeutic benefits. An appreciation of the physical demands of the martial arts is crucial to understanding the pathogenesis of injury as well as to planning treatment and prevention strategies and to determining safe return to participation after injury.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Injuries in martial arts: a comparison of five styles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare five martial arts with respect to injury outcomes. METHODS: A one year retrospective cohort was studied using an injury survey. Data on 263 martial arts participants (Shotokan karate, n = 114; aikido, n = 47; tae kwon do, n = 49; kung fu, n = 39; tai chi, n = 14) were analysed. Predictor variables included age, sex, training frequency ( 3 h/week), experience (<3 years v >or=3 years), and martial art style. Outcome measures were injuries requiring time off from training, major injuries (>or=7 days off), multiple injuries (>or=3), body region, and type of injury. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI). Fisher's exact test was used for comparisons between styles, with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The rate of injuries, expressed as percentage of participants sustaining an injury that required time off training a year, varied according to style: 59% tae kwon do, 51% aikido, 38% kung fu, 30% karate, and 14% tai chi. There was a threefold increased risk of injury and multiple injury in tae kwon do than karate (p<0.001). Subjects >or=18 years of age were at greater risk of injury than younger ones (p<0.05; OR 3.95; CI 1.48 to 9.52). Martial artists with at least three years experience were twice as likely to sustain injury than less experienced students (p<0.005; OR 2.46; CI 1.51 to 4.02). Training >3 h/week was also a significant predictor of injury (p<0.05; OR 1.85; CI 1.13 to 3.05). Compared with karate, the risks of head/neck injury, upper extremity injury, and soft tissue injury were all higher in aikido (p<0.005), and the risks of head/neck, groin, and upper and lower extremity injuries were higher in tae kwon do (p<0.001). No sex differences were found for any of the outcomes studied. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher rate of injury in tae kwon do than Shotokan karate. Different martial arts have significantly different types and distribution of injuries. Martial arts appear to be safe for young athletes, particularly those at beginner or intermediate levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Martial arts injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current evidence for the epidemiology of pediatric injuries in martial arts. DATA SOURCES: The relevant literature was searched using SPORT DISCUS (keywords: martial arts injuries, judo injuries, karate injuries, and taekwondo injuries and ProQuest (keywords: martial arts, taekwondo, karate, and judo), as well as hand searches of the reference lists. MAIN RESULTS: In general, the absolute number of injuries in girls is lower than in boys. However, when expressed relative to exposure, the injury rates of girls are higher. Injuries by body region reflect the specific techniques and rules of the martial art. The upper extremities tend to get injured more often in judo, the head and face in karate and the lower extremities in taekwondo. Activities engaged in at the time of injury included performing a kick or being thrown in judo, while punching in karate, and performing a roundhouse kick in taekwondo. Injury type tends to be martial art specific with sprains reported in judo and taekwondo and epistaxis in karate. Injury risk factors in martial arts include age, body weight and exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive measures should focus on education of coaches, referees, athletes, and tournament directors. Although descriptive research should continue, analytical studies are urgently needed.

Arm Injuries↗

PubMed1992

Length of training, hostility and the martial arts: a comparison with other sporting groups.

Previous research has indicated that training in the martial arts leads to a reduction in levels of hostility. However, such research has only compared hostility within martial arts groups. The present research compares two martial arts groups and two other sporting groups on levels of assaultive, verbal and indirect hostility. Moderated multiple regression analyses revealed a significant interaction between length of training in the respondent's stated sport and whether that sport was a martial art in predicting assaultive and verbal hostility. The form of the interaction suggests that participation in the martial arts is associated, over time, with decreased feelings of assaultive and verbal hostility.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Perceived vulnerability and control of martial arts and physical fitness students.

Anecdotal reports and limited research suggest that enrolling in self-defense courses can enhance feelings of control and reduce feelings of vulnerability; however, much self-defense is taught in the context of martial arts courses. To assess the effects of martial arts courses on perceptions of vulnerability and control, 83 students in physical fitness and 59 students in martial arts courses at 10 randomly chosen large universities responded to questionnaires. Martial arts students scored lower on control, higher on vulnerability, and higher on perceived likelihood of being injured than fitness students while enrolled in their courses. A year later, regardless of whether they had continued training, they scored higher on control and lower on vulnerability. Neither gender nor prior history of assault was related to responses. Enrolling in martial arts courses may not enhance people's feelings of control, at least in the initial stages of training.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Martial arts injuries.

In the United States, approximately 1.5 million to 2 million persons practice the martial arts. It is the general belief that martial arts are safe, with little thought given to the physical forces involved. Some enthusiasts gravitate to the martial arts to learn self-defense, whereas others participate to improve cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and self-esteem. Some join for the structured exercise programs, whereas others desire the artistic expression or have a need to compete. Injuries involve the head and neck region, trunk, and extremities. Soft tissue trauma, hematomas, and lacerations are some of the most common injuries. Occasionally fractures occur, most often involving the hands and digits. The neurosurgical literature indicates that wearing headgear increases the shearing injury to nerve fibers and neurons in the brain in proportion to the degree of acceleration to the head. Three case presentations illustrate death resulting from anterior chest trauma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Martial arts and psychological health.

The misleading public image of the martial arts masks a rich though esoteric psychological legacy containing informative parallels for contemporary psychotherapeutic concepts and practices. To date, empirical research on the martial arts has lacked sophistication in the questions it has posed and in the methodology adopted to answer them. Whilst not entirely consistent, findings from studies of martial artists' personalities, outlooks and behaviour have generally indicated positive psychological effects of training. Clinical and psychotherapeutic applications are at an exploratory stage but appear promising. As an exemplar the psychological facets of the art of Aikido are discussed, and prospective uses of martial arts principles as systemic or adjunctive therapies are considered.

Aggression↗

PubMed2006

Pediatric martial arts injuries presenting to Emergency Departments, United States 1990-2003.

Although an estimated 6.5 million United States (US) children aged 6-17 practiced a martial art in 2004, there have been no nationally representative studies comparing pediatric injuries among the three most popular disciplines, karate, taekwondo, and judo. Describe pediatric martial arts injuries presenting to a representative sample of US Emergency Departments (EDs) from 1990 to 2003. We reviewed all martial arts injuries captured by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC), National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). An estimated 128,400 children </=17 years were treated in US EDs for martial arts-related injuries from 1990 to 2003. Injured tended to be male (73.0%) and had a mean age of 12.1 years. Most injuries were attributed to karate (79.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was being kicked (25.6%), followed by falling (20.6%) and kicking (18.0%). The majority of injuries occurred to the lower leg/foot/ankle (30.1%) and hand/wrist (24.5%). The most common injury diagnoses were sprains/strains (29.3%), contusions/abrasions (27.8%), and fractures (24.6%). Participants in judo sustained significantly higher proportions of shoulder/upper arm injuries than karate (IPR=4.31, 95% CI: 2.84-6.55) or taekwondo (IPR=9.75, 95% CI: 3.53-26.91) participants. There were also higher proportions of neck injuries sustained by judo participants compared to karate (IPR=4.73, 95% CI: 1.91-11.70) or taekwondo (IPR=4.17, 95% CI: 1.02-17.06) participants. Pediatric martial arts injuries differ by discipline. Understanding these injury patterns can assist with the development of discipline-specific preventive interventions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

An analysis of students' reasons for studying martial arts.

Responses to a questionnaire study of initial reasons to study martial arts by 170 students in a school of martial arts are described. Although self-defense and physical fitness motives were prominently claimed, further analyses of more subtle existential and psychological issues are warranted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Physiologic study of pressure point techniques used in the martial arts.

BACKGROUND: Study physiologic changes occurring during "knockouts" produced by application of pressure point techniques during martial arts demonstrations. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: prospective analysis of physiologic variables during and immediately following an acute event. SETTING: martial arts demonstration carried out at a medical center hospital. SUBJECTS: 12 normal volunteers participating in a martial arts demonstration. INTERVENTIONS: application of various pressure point techniques that have been observed to produce states of unresponsiveness in volunteers. MEASURES: continuous ECG and video/EEG monitoring with measurements of blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Qualitative analysis of EEG and ECG recordings and quantitative comparison of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation measurements before during and after the period of induced unconsciousness. RESULTS: No significant changes in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cardiac rate or rhythm, or electroencephalogram are noted during the knockouts produced by application of pressure point techniques. There was only variable inability for subjects to remember words spoken to them during the episode of apparent unresponsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism for the state of unresponsiveness produced by application of pressure point techniques is not related to a significant cardiac or pulmonary process. There is no evidence of reduced cerebral blood flow during this time or of other dangerous physiologic changes. The exact mechanism for this phenomenon remains uncertain.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

No holds barred sport fighting: a 10 year review of mixed martial arts competition.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most salient medical issues that may be associated with mixed martial arts competition by determining the types and proportions of match stoppages. METHODS: Publicly available video footage of 1284 men competing in 642 consecutive televised matches from November 1993 to November 2003 was reviewed to determine the reasons for which matches were stopped. Matches were sanctioned by either a United States or Japan based mixed martial arts organisation. RESULTS: Of the 642 matches, 182 (28.3+/-3.4%) were stopped because of head impact, 106 (16.5+/-2.9%) because of musculoskeletal stress, 91 (14.1+/-2.7%) because of neck choke, 83 (12.9+/-2.6%) because of miscellaneous trauma, 173 (27.0+/-3.4%) because of expiration of match time, and seven (1.0+/-0.8%) because of disqualification, where the values in parentheses are percentages+/-95% confidence interval. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt force to the head resulted in the highest proportion of match stoppages. Further research is warranted to delineate the morbidity associated with participation in mixed martial arts.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Morbidity and mortality in the martial arts: a warning.

Approximately 1.5 to 2 million Americans participate in the martial arts. Injury anecdotes are reported from 10 years of providing medical coverage at martial arts activities. Included are data from two national Tae Kwon Do tournaments, one adult and one junior level. Previously unreported injuries, including a video-recorded fatality, demonstrate the danger inherent in participation. Of particular concern is the potential for serious neurologic injury. Recommendations are made for reducing the severity and frequency of injuries.

Adolescent↗