USE OF MARTIAL ARTS IN IMPROVING BALANCE CONTROL IN OLDER ADULTS: A SCOPING REVIEW

D. Lipardo¹, D. Manlapaz¹, V. Orpilla¹, S.C. Pagarigan², J. Regino¹

¹University of Santo Tomas, College of Rehabilitation Sciences-Department of Physical Therapy, Manila, Philippines, ²University of Santo Tomas, College of Rehabilitation Sciences-Department of Sports Science, Manila, Philippines

Background: Problems in maintaining balance are one of the most common reasons why older adults seek medical consultation. Martial arts, other than Tai chi, are now being integrated into exercise programs to improve the balance control of older adults.

Purpose: This scoping review aimed to map the breadth of existing literature on martial arts use in improving the balance control of older adults.

Methods: Experimental studies in English on martial arts use, aside from Tai chi, in improving balance in older adults were considered eligible. A comprehensive electronic search on published articles was conducted from inception to February 2022 in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, and ProQuest. Grey literature search was implemented in Google Scholar, Pro-Quest Dissertations and Theses Open, University of Santo Tomas Library. Hand-searching was also performed from reference lists of included studies. Data on author and year of publication, country, study design, target population, type of martial art, exercise protocol, balance outcome measures used, and main findings were extracted.

Results: The literature search identified 708 potentially relevant citations, however, only nine articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The number of participants ranged from one to 90, with a total of 317 older adults, of which, 186 (60.6%) were female. All were community-dwelling healthy older adults except for one participant who came from a nursing home facility. Five studies were conducted in North America, two were in Asia, one in South America, and one in Europe. Different study designs were utilized: non-randomized studies (3), quasi-experimental studies (3), simple randomized controlled trial (1), stratified randomized allocation study (1), and case study (1). Four studies implemented Tae Kwon Do-based exercise regimens. The other forms of martial arts utilized were Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Taekkyon, Hung Fut Kung Fu, Ving Tsun, and Karate. The exercise frequency was once or twice per week, with a duration of 55-90 minutes per session for 11-17 weeks. Low to moderate intensity exercises were implemented. The exercise progression, however, was not reported in any of the studies included. Significant improvement in balance control based on outcome measures such Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, and One-Leg Standing were reported in seven out of the nine included studies.

Conclusions: Various martial arts across the globe were employed to improve the balance control of older adults with Tae Kwon Do being the most common. An overall trend of improved balance control in older adults was observed with martial arts use, however, variability in methodological research designs, exercise dosages and outcome measures preclude further generalizations. Given the potential benefits of martial arts and due to the limited number of existing studies, additional studies investigating the effectiveness of martial arts are warranted.

Implications: Physical therapists can consider martial arts as an alternative intervention tailored to the needs of older adults in improving their balance control.

Funding acknowledgements: Research load from the University of Santo Tomas-Center for health research and Movement Science

Keywords:
Older adults
Martial arts
Balance control

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Older people
Sport & sports injuries

Did this work require ethics approval? No

Reason: Ethical approval is not required because only information from publicly accessible sources were collected in this scoping review.