Taekwondo Training Improves Balance in Volunteers Over 40

Abstract

Balance deteriorates with age, and may eventually lead to falling accidents which may threaten independent living. As Taekwondo contains various highly dynamic movement patterns, Taekwondo practice may sustain or improve balance. Therefore, in 24 middle-aged healthy volunteers (40–71 year) we investigated effects of age-adapted Taekwondo training of 1 h a week during 1 year on various balance parameters, such as: motor orientation ability (primary outcome measure), postural and static balance test, single leg stance, one leg hop test, and a questionnaire. Motor orientation ability significantly increased in favor of the antero-posterior direction with a difference of 0.62° toward anterior compared to pre-training measurement, when participants corrected the tilted platform rather toward the posterior direction; female gender being an independent outcome predictor. On postural balance measurements sway path improved in all 19 participants, with a median of 9.3 mm/s (range 0.71–45.86), and sway area in 15 participants with 4.2 mm2/s (range 17.39–1.22). Static balance improved with an average of 5.34 s for the right leg, and with almost 4 s for the left. Median single leg stance duration increased in 17 participants with 5 s (range 1–16), and in 13 participants with 8 s (range 1–18). The average one leg hop test distance increased (not statistically significant) with 9.5 cm. The questionnaire reported a better “ability to maintain balance” in 16. In conclusion, our data suggest that age-adapted Taekwondo training improves various aspects of balance control in healthy people over the age of 40.

Comparison of health benefits between a high intensity interval training and a moderate intensity continuous training when performed in a nonlaboratory setting, in moderately obese women

“…Furthermore, TKD training decreases the velocity of sway in single leg stance secondary to increased performance of vestibular system as compared to age-matched non-TKD adolescents [19]. These improvements are consistent with the single leg balance improvements seen in another study where a decrease in sway and an increase in stance time were noted [34]. With data being similar amongst both groups for these conditions, it is possible the participants had increased difficulty initially assuming the position and subsequently maintaining the stance secondary to balance and/or strength deficits [21].…”

Aging Effects on Neuromuscular Activity in Karate Practitioners

“…Gatts and Woollacott [35] showed that Tai Chi practice improves neuromuscular control, which improves the balance and reduces the risk of falls. Similar conclusions about balance control were found in the Korean martial art Taekwondo [36], and also improvements in muscular strength and flexibility were noted [37].…”

Improvement of Balance and General Physical Fitness in Older Adults by Karate: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Other combat sports, such as taekwondo and tai chi, also enhance the balance ability [21][22][23]. However, taekwondo is problematic because most of its techniques are kicks, which have a higher risk of injury for older beginners.…”