The Health Benefits of Martial Arts Training

Here is a list of the potential health benefits derived from martial arts training. Of course, please see a doctor before starting any martial arts training because the training can be intense and could aggravate any underlying medical conditions (i.e. heart problems). Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice.

Potential Martial Arts Health Benefits

• Martial arts can benefit HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• Martial arts can help students to lose weight given the significant calorie expenditure during training.
• The potential weight loss associated with martial arts training could also help to improve your insulin sensitivity. This may help to prevent or slow the onset of some types of diabetes.
• Weight loss could lower the chance of obesity-related cancer.
• Martial arts can improve muscle tone.
• Martial arts training can benefit an individual's overall strength and muscular power,
• Martial arts utilizes a lot of stretching & warm-up exercises and this can improve flexibility.
• Martial artists benefit from high levels of conditioning training and this can improve a person's stamina and energy levels.
• Since martial arts can boost an individual's stamina and endurance, it could provide you with more energy throughout the day. This can make you less tired during work.
• Martial artists can benefit from potential stress relief as you concentrate on your daily training session and forget the stress and tension of work.
• Martial arts can help students to gain a better night's sleep because they are tired after a martial arts class.
• Martial arts can improve a person's balance as they learn different stances, kicking positions, etc.
• Martial arts can release natural endorphins which can improve a student's mood.
• According to medical authorities, intense exercise can help boost your immune system. In turn, this could ward off or reduce the impact of some infectious diseases (i.e. flu).
• Martial arts and strenuous physical activity can improve bone density or help to slow bone loss.
• Martial arts can improve coordination as students need to combine a wide variety of kicks, punches and stances in activities such as kata training, sparring, etc.
• Martial arts can provide an excellent form of cross training, especially for endurance sports.
• According to the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, "Boys who regularly practiced judo had significantly higher foot arches and better balance than a control group of relatively inactive boys".

References

1. Taekwondo Animals.com, Taekwondo Health Benefits, http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-health-benefits.asp, Added - 07/10/14
2. American Diabetes Association, Physical Activity is Important, http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/physical-activity-is-important.html, Added - 07/10/14
3. Wall Street Journal, Is Judo A Fix For Flat Feet?, http://www.wsj.com/articles/is-judo-a-fix-for-flat-feet-1437406039, Added - 07/23/15