Martial arts showed a mobility benefit in older adults, with low certainty
Mobility findings favored martial arts, but the evidence had low certainty. Balance, handgrip strength and quality of life offered a less straightforward picture.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Martial arts appeared to improve functional mobility in older adults compared with physically active controls. The abstract also reports balance and handgrip differences involving the control group, without clearly explaining their direction. Combined with low evidence certainty and an inability to pool quality-of-life results, this leaves the overall functional benefit uncertain.
Evidence certainty was low because assessors were not blinded and participant numbers were small. Differences between studies prevented a pooled quality-of-life analysis.
What researchers found
Functional mobility
Compared with physically active controls in pooled trials; assessment timing and effect size were not reported in the abstract.
Function involves distinct outcomes
The review assessed mobility, balance and handgrip strength as separate outcomes. Its mobility result should not be treated as proof of improvement across all physical abilities, especially when the abstract's description of the other comparisons is incomplete.
Adapted activities were highlighted
The authors specifically highlighted adapted Taekwondo and the ritual-dance form of Muay Thai in their conclusion. These activities should not be assumed to represent every martial art, and their apparent mobility benefits remain subject to the review's low certainty.
The original publication
Benefits of martial arts on the functional capacity of elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
de Mendonça DLC, Raider Junior JM, da Silva LBB et al.
Clinics (Sao Paulo) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41253097
- Record checked
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