Effect of adapted karate training on quality of life and body balance in 50-year-old men

Abstract

Background:Aging is associated with a decrease in physical skills, sometimes accompanied by a change in quality of life (QOL). Long-term martial arts practice has been proposed as an avenue to counter these deleterious effects. The general purpose of this pilot study was to identify the effects of an adapted karate training program on QOL, depression, and motor skills in 50-year-old men. Methods and design:Fifteen 50-year-old men were enrolled in a one-year prospective experiment. Participants practiced adapted karate training for 90 minutes three times a week. Testing sessions, involving completion of the MOS 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF36) and Beck Depression Inventory, as well as motor and effort evaluation, were done at baseline, and six and 12 months. Results: Compared with baseline, participants had better Beck Depression Inventory scores after one year of karate training (P , 0.01) and better perception of their physical health (P , 0.01), but not on the mental dimension (P , 0.49). They also improved their reaction time scores for the nondominant hand and sway parameters in the eyes-closed position (P , 0.01). Conclusion: Regular long-term karate practice had favorable effects on mood, perception of physical health confirmed by better postural control, and improved performance on objective physical testing. Adapted karate training would be an interesting option for maintaining physical activity in aging.

Efectos positivos del entrenamiento de karate en las capacidades cognitivas asociadas a la edad / Possitive Effects of Continuous Practice of Karate in Cognitive Capacity Associtated to the Age

“…Parece ser que los cambios son más apreciables ante tareas en que los movimientos no pueden preverse y prepararse por anticipado, especialmente si es preciso ejecutar acciones complejas y coordinadas (Chateau-Degat et al 2010). Posiblemente, esto se deba a que tardan más tiempo en inspeccionar las señales antes de emitir una respuesta y por dedicar más tiempo a considerar lo que están haciendo (Jansen & Dahmen-Zimmer, 2012).…”

“…Las caídas son uno de los principales problemas a los que se enfrentan las personas mayores (Chateau-Degat, Papouin, Saint-Val & Lopez, 2010). El progresivo deterioro de las capacidades cognitivas es uno de los factores que influyen en el riesgo de las caídas (Lord, Clark & Webster, 1991).…”

“…El progresivo deterioro de las capacidades cognitivas es uno de los factores que influyen en el riesgo de las caídas (Lord, Clark & Webster, 1991). Diversos estudios relacionados con este riesgo en personas mayores indican que la práctica de ejercicio físico contribuye a mejorar los parámetros psicológicos asociados a este fenómeno (Chateau-Degat et al 2010).…”

“…Algunos estudios mencionan la necesidad de estudiar la relación existente entre la práctica del karate y el mantenimiento de las capacidades de atención, velocidad de anticipación y tiempo de reacción (Chateau-Degat et al 2010).…”

The Effectiveness of Hard Martial Arts in People over Forty: An Attempted Systematic Review

“…They functioned as their own reference group and were measured at least one week before training, 6 months and 12 months after participation [19]. The outcome measures consisted of the MOS 36-item Short Form Health Survey [21], the Beck Depression Inventory, reaction time, pronation and supination, finger tapping, sway path, area and sway velocity, and effort [19].…”