Martial Arts are the use of combative movements as a means of self
expression. Martial arts (MAs) have been said to improve the
practitioner's health, control of the mind and body, self-confidence,
humility, courage, and respect for others (Weiser et al., 1995).
In recent years there have been many studies lending support to the
effectiveness and benefits of MAs training (Chan et al, 2004; Christou,
Yang, Rosengren, 2003; Fuller, 1988; Li et al, 2001; Song, Lee, Lam,
Bea, 2003; Tremlow, 1991; Weiser, Kutz, Jacobson, Weiser, 1995). There
is a trend in recreation and research that indicates MAs are being used
for reasons other than self defense. Examples can be found in
many diverse fields, such as criminologists working with adjudicated
youth, fitness professionals getting kids active, parents helping their
kids ease their symptoms of attention deficit disorder, and in
geriatric programming to help the elderly increase their balance and
coordination.
This trend started around 450 B.C. with “the holy
man considered by most modern sources to be the father of the martial
arts … Bodhidharma,” (Chow & Spangler, 1982, p. 7).
Bodhidharma was a Brahman king who left his monastery in Southern India
and traveled through China. He was a Ch’an Buddhist.
Buddhism is a religion based on concentration, relaxation and clarity
of mind.While in China, Bodhidharma went to a famous
Shaolin temple. Monks at this temple translated over six hundred
works of Buddhist scripture written in Sanskrit into their native
language (Chow & Spangler, 1982, p. 10). Bodhidharma was
alarmed to see monks drifting in and out of sleep during their daily
meditative exercises. He concluded the monks’ physical wellbeing
was to blame. Bodhidharma then explained to the monks how
inseparable the mind and body are. “The legend continues that
physical fitness became a part of Shaolin life with his introduction of
systematized exercises to strengthen the body and mind,” (Chow &
Spangler, 1982, p. 11). Bodhidharma later introduced Indian fighting
movements to the monks. These combative movements would evolve
into Shaolin Temple Boxing. (Chow & Spangler, 1982, p.
11). Today we would refer to Shaolin Temple Boxing as Shaolin
Kung-fu.
You might say that there is no trend, because MAs have been used
alternatively for such a long time. There is truth in that.
MAs have been used for many years for their therapeutic benefits.
But, because of current trends in todays’ society, martial arts are
being used more and more as a therapy or as a treatment.
One reason for MAs proliferation in recent years could be the rise in
scientific evidence for its effectiveness. This scientific
evidence makes it easier for programmers and organizations to justify
and validate their reasoning for having and using such programs.
In 1995, Weiser, Kutz, Kutz, and Weiser lent support to the idea that
MAs have positive psychotherapeutic aspects. They found that MAs
“enhance self-esteem through the provision of physical activity and
group experience, and the teaching of relaxation, concentration,
assertiveness, and directness and honesty in communication,” (Weiser et
al, 1995, p. 126). In 1998 Twemlow, Sacco and Frank provided
support for martial arts based treatment for adjudicated youth
(Twemlow, Sacco, Frank, 1998). Their study showed that
interventions using MAs as a change agent “can be an extraordinarily
helpful, ego-building form of psychotherapy. The training
strongly supports synthetic ego functions, particularly control of
aggressive impulses,” (Twemlow, Sacco, Frank, 1998, p. 517).
From 1980 to 2003, the arrest rate for juveniles increased 102% for
males and 269% for females (United States, 2005). This rise in
adjudicated youth has brought many law enforcement agencies to look at
this scientific evidence and implement martial arts programs. In
2003, Florida Community College at Jacksonville Downtown campus started
an at-risk youth karate program to help teach the students
discipline. Many other schools have started other similar
programs (Gellady, 2003).
The Tennessee therapeutic fitness center works with kids with a variety
of needs, from ADHD to Down syndrome. The center helps students
stay motivated and gain focus through the kata (pre-arranged movements)
and a belt ranking system (Gang, 2004). Once Upon a River in
Irvington, NY, runs MAs programs specifically for people with special
needs (Langum, 2004). “Dr. Jonathan Slater, a child psychiatrist
and professor at Columbia University, designed the program because he
found traditional therapy and medications did not seem to work with
some of his patients,” (Langum, 2004).
In 2001 Li et al. studied healthy elderly participants and found
that Taiji training has positive effects on both self-efficacy and self
perceived physical function. Song, Lee, Lam and Bae showed that
MAs training can reduce pain in joints and reduce “perceived
difficulties in physical functioning,” (2003, p. 2039). With the
baby boomer generation aging gracefully, there is an increased market
for MAs therapy for the elderly population.
MAs have also been known for their ability to give a good aerobic
workout. Lan, Chen, Lai, and Wong proved in 2001 that tai chi
qualifies as a moderate intensity aerobic exercise. Since 30
percent of US adults are obese and 16 percent of minors (age 6-19) are
overweight, we can expect to see MAs being used by more participants as
a means of exercise (Center for Disease…, 2006).
According to Zaggelidis, Martinidis, and Zaggelidis (2004), most
martial artists start martial arts for health benefits and the desire
for molding of body character.
MAs participation on the whole is also on the rise.
According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association International
(SGMA, 2006), roughly 6 million people in the United States practice
martial arts. The SGMA states that the numbers of people
participating has increased 12.3% when compared numbers of participants
in 1998. They state that this is a 28.2% increase compared to
1987.
In recent years, much scientific research has shown the
effectiveness of MA. This research lends support to the fact that
there is a trend in recreation. Because of cultural and societal
trends, more people are practicing MAs now than ever, and more of those
people are doing it for therapeutic and health reasons.
References:
Chan, K., Qin, L., Lau, M., Woo, J., Au, S., Choy, W,. et al.
(2004). A randomized, prospective study of the effects of tai chi chun
exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 85, 717-722.
Chow, D. & Spangler, R. (1982) Kung Fu: History, philosophy
and technique. Burbank, CA: Unique Publications.
Christou, E. A., Yang, Y. & Rosengren, K. S. (2003) Taiji
training improves knee extensor strength and force control in older
adults. Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and
Medical Sciences, 58, 763-766.
Fuller, J. (1991). Martial arts and psychological health
[Electronic Version]. Journal of Medical Psychology, 64, 127-135.
Gellady, J. (2003, May 5). FCCJ karate program helps at-risk youth
[Electronic Version].Business Journal of Jacksonville.
Lan, C., Che, S. Y., Lai, J. S., & Wong, M. K., (2001). Heart
rate responses and oxygen consumption during tai chi chuan practice.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 29, 403-410.
Langum, V. (2004, March 15). Kicking and punching to better
behavior. Columbia NewsService. Retrieved on October 1,
2006 from
Li, F., Harmer, P., McAuley, E., Fisher, K. J., Duncan, T.E.,
& Duncan, S. C. (2001). Tai chi, self-efficacy, and physical
function in the elderly [Electronic Version]. Prevention Science, 2,
229-239.
Song, R., Lee, E. O., Lam, P., & Bae, S.C. (2003). Effects of
tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and perceived
difficulties in physical functioning in older women with
osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trail. Journal of Rheumatology,
30, 2039-2044.
Sporting Goods Manufactures Association International.
(2006). Sports Participation Top Line Report 2006 Edition
[Electronic Version].
Twemlow, S. W. & Sacco, F. C. (1998) The application of
traditional martial arts practice and theory to the treatment of
violent adolescents [Electronic Version] . Adolescence, 33, 505-519.
United Stated Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention. (2005). Juvenile Justice Bulletin
[Electronic Version].
Weiser, M., & Kutz, I., & Kutz, S., &Weiser, D.
(1995). Psychotherapeutic Aspects of the Martial Arts [Electronic
Version]. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 49, 118-127.
Vincent Stasik studies Recreation
Management/ Fitness Management at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
