Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Health-related physical fitness in martial arts and combat sports practitioners

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Sport Sciences for Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate health-related physical fitness in martial arts and combat sports practitioners.

Methods

935 adult, male practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, kung-fu, and taekwondo were evaluated using the fitness assessment tests proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correspondence analysis, and analysis of variance, with a significance level of 5 % in all analyses.

Results

Most subjects had a body mass index between overweight (karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo) and normal (kung-fu and taekwondo). Waist–hip ratio and body fat percentage indicated moderate risks for all groups. Regarding VO2max, the kung-fu group showed lower scores compared to the Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo groups, although all groups were above average in comparison with the standard population. Furthermore, most practitioners were classified as below average concerning muscle strength in all styles, while the kung-fu group was rated as poor. Concerning strength endurance all groups were classified as above average, and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu group showed higher scores when compared to taekwondo and judo groups, the latter showing lower scores than the kung-fu group. Flexibility was classified as average in all groups, and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu group had lower scores when compared to the karate, taekwondo, and kung-fu groups, with this last one showing better results when compared to the judo group.

Conclusion

Instructors should create strategies to improve muscle strength and body composition or practitioners should engage in other physical activities to achieve a better result in these components, the only ones not above average.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

WHR:

Waist–hip ratio

VO2max:

Maximal oxygen uptake

VO2 :

Oxygen uptake

ACMS:

American College of Sports Medicine

SPSS:

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

η 2 :

Eta squared

References

  1. Bauman A, Ainsworth BE, Sallis JF, Hagströmer M, Craig CL, Bull FC et al (2011) The descriptive epidemiology of sitting: a 20-country comparison using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Am J Prev Med 41(2):228–235

  2. Hallal PC, Victora CG, Wells JC, Lima RC (2003) Physical inactivity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilian adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35(11):1894–1900

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Owen N, Sugiyama T, Eakin EE, Gardiner PA, Tremblay MS, Sallis JF (2011) Adults’ sedentary behavior determinants and interventions. Am J Prev Med 41(2):189–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Blair SN, Kohl HW 3rd, Barlow CE, Paffenbarger RS Jr, Gibbons LW, Macera CA (1995) Changes in physical fitness and all-cause mortality. A prospective study of healthy and unhealthy men. JAMA 273:1093–1098

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Carta MG, Hardoy MC, Pilu A, Sorba M, Floris AL, Mannu FA et al (2008) Improving physical quality of life with group physical activity in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 4:1

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, Lamonte MJ, Lee IM et al (2011) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:1334–1359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hébert ET, Caughy MO, Shuval K (2012) Primary care providers’ perceptions of physical activity counselling in a clinical setting: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med 46:625–631

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS (2006) Prescribing exercise as preventive therapy. CMAJ 28(7):961–974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bu B, Haijun H, Yong L, Chaohui Z, Xiaoyuan Y, Singh MF (2010) Effects of martial arts on health status: a systematic review. J Evid Based Med 3(4):205–219

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Jones GW, Mackay KS, Peters DM (2006) Participation motivation in martial artists in the west midlands region of England. J Sports Sci Med. 5:28–34

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Woodward TW (2009) A review of the effects of martial arts practice on health. WMJ 108(1):40–43

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Campos FA, Bertuzzi R, Dourado AC, Santos VG, Franchini E (2012) Energy demands in taekwondo athletes during combat simulation. Eur J Appl Physiol 112(4):1221–1228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chaabène H, Hachana Y, Franchini E, Mkaouer B, Chamari K (2012) Physical and physiological profile of Elite Karate Athletes. Sports Med 42(10):829–843

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Franchini E, Del Vecchio FB, Matsushigue KA, Artioli GG (2011) Physiological profiles of elite judo athletes. Sports Med 41(2):147–166

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Terry CM (2006) The martial arts. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 17:645–676

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fong SSM, Ng GYF (2011) Does Taekwondo training improve physical fitness? Phys Ther Sport 12(2):100–106

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Yoshimura Y, Imamura H (2010) Effects of basic karate exercises on maximal oxygen uptake in sedentary collegiate women. J Health Sci 56(6):721–726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tsang TW, Kohn M, Chow CM, Singh MF (2009) A randomised placebo-exercise controlled trial of Kung Fu training for improvements in body composition in overweight/obese adolescents: the “martial fitness” study. J Sports Sci Med 8(1):97–106

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Tsang TW, Kohn M, Chow CM, Singh MF (2009) A randomized controlled trial of Kung Fu training for metabolic health in overweight/obese adolescents: the “martial fitness” study. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 22(7):595–607

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tsang TW, Kohn MR, Chow CM, Fiatarone Singh MA (2010) Kung fu training improves physical fitness measures in overweight/obese adolescents: the “martial fitness” study. J Obes. doi:10.1155/2010/672751

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. American College of Sports Medicine (2005) ACSM’s health-related physical fitness assessment manual. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  22. Jackson AS, Pollock ML (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. Br J Nutr 40(3):497–504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. McArdle WD, Katch FI, Pechar GS, Jacobson L, Ruck S (1972) Reliability and interrelationships between maximal oxygen intake, physical work capacity and step-test scores in college women. Med Sci Sports 4(4):182–186

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Greenacre M, Trevor H (1987) The geometric interpretation of correspondence analysis. J Am Stat Assoc 82(398):437–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Zetaruk MN, Violan MA, Zurakowski D, Micheli LJ (2005) Injuries in martial arts: a comparison of five styles. Br J Sports Med 39:29–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ode JJ, Pivarnik JM, Reeves MJ, Knous JL (2007) Body mass index as a predictor of percent fat in college athletes and nonathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(3):403–409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Franchini E, Panissa V, Julio UF (2013) Physiological and performance responses to intermittent Uchi-komi in Judo. J Strength Cond Res. 27(4):1147–1155

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ahmaidi S, Portero P, Calmet M, Lantz D, Vatc W, Libert JP (1999) Oxygen uptake and cardiorespiratory responses during selected fighting techniques in judo and kendo. Res Sports Med 9(2):129–139

    Google Scholar 

  29. Jones MA, Unnithan VB (1998) The cardiovascular responses of male subjects to kung fu techniques. Expert/novice paradigm. J Sports Med Phys Fit 38(4):323–329

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Sugiyama M (1999) Energy expenditure of throwing techniques in judo. In: International Judo Federation (ed) Annals of the 1st International Judo Federation World Research Symposium. International Judo Federation, Birmingham, p 14

  31. Szmatlan-Gabrys U, Mroz A, Plewa M, Gabrys T, Blach W (2004) Characteristic of dynamic oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR) and lactate concentration (LA) in 5-minute fighting for a hold in judo. In: Book of Abstracts 9th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sports Scienc, Jul 3–6 2004, Universite d’Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand (France), p 330

  32. Andreato LV, Franzói De Moraes SM, Gomes TLM, Esteves JVDC, Andreato TV, Franchini E (2011) Estimated aerobic power, muscular strength and flexibility in elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Sci Sports 26:329–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Franchini E, Nunes AV, Moraes JM, Del Vecchio FB (2007) Physical fitness and anthropometrical profile of the Brazilian male Judo team. J Physiol Anthropol 26(2):59–67

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Franchini E, Takito MY, Kiss MAPDM, Strerkowicz S (2005) Physical fitness and anthropometrical differences between elite and non-elite judo players. Biol Sport 22(4):315–328

    Google Scholar 

  35. Franchini E, Takito MY, Nakamura FY, Matsushigue KA, Kiss MAPDM (2003) Effects of recovery type after a judo combat on blood lactate removal and on performance in an intermittent anaerobic task. J Sports Med Phys Fit 43(4):424–431

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Little NG (1991) Physical performance attributes of Junior and Senior women, Juvenile, Junior and Senior men judokas. J Sports Med Phys Fit 31(4):510–520

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Thomas SG, Cox MH, LeGal YM, Verde TJ, Smith HK (1989) Physiological profiles of the Canadian National Judo Team. Can J Sport Sci 14(3):142–147

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Artioli GG, Gualano B, Franchini E, Batista RN, Polacow VO, Lancha AH Jr (2009) Physiological, performance, and nutritional profile of the Brazilian Olympic Wushu (kung-fu) team. J Strength Cond Res 23(1):20–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Roschel H, Batista M, Monteiro R, Bertuzzi RC, Barroso R, Loturco I et al (2009) Association between neuromuscular tests and kumite performance on the Brazilian Karate national team. J Sports Sci Med 8:20–24

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Calmet M, Miarka B, Franchini E (2010) Modeling of grasps in judo contests. Int J Performance Anal Sport 10(3):229–240

    Google Scholar 

  41. Claessens ALM, Beunen GP, Lefevre J, Martens G, Wellens R (1984) Body structure, somatotype, and motor fitness of top class Belgian judoists. In: The 1984 olympic scientific congress proceedings: perspectives in kinathropometry. Champaign (IL), Human Kinetics, pp 155–163

  42. Silva B, Marocolo Junior M, Simim M, Rezende F, Franchini E, Motta G (2012) Reliability in kimono grip strength tests and comparison between elite and non-elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu players. Arch Budo 8:103–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Ache Dias J, Wentz M, Külkamp W, Mattos D, Goethel M, Borges Júnior N (2012) Is the handgrip strength performance better in judokas than in non-judokas? Sci Sports 27(3):9–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Toskovic NN, Blessing D, Williford HN (2002) The effect of experience and gender on cardiovascular and metabolic responses with dynamic Tae Kwon Do exercise. J Strength Cond Res 16(2):278–285

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Sandro Napoli for his contribution in data collection.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no financial or other conflict of interest relevant to the research.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee.

Informed consent

All subjects signed a written informed consent form.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Melo de Moraes, 65 Butantã, São Paulo, 05508-030, Brazil

    Juliano Schwartz, Fabrício B. Del Vecchio & Emerson Franchini

  2. Graduate Exercise Physiology Course, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Juliano Schwartz & Leandro S. Antonietti

  3. School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Monica Y. Takito

  4. Superior School of Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

    Fabrício B. Del Vecchio

Authors
  1. Juliano Schwartz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Monica Y. Takito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fabrício B. Del Vecchio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Leandro S. Antonietti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Emerson Franchini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emerson Franchini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Schwartz, J., Takito, M.Y., Del Vecchio, F.B. et al. Health-related physical fitness in martial arts and combat sports practitioners. Sport Sci Health 11, 171–180 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-015-0220-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-015-0220-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation