Chinese Martial Arts: Add-on Therapy and Application in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation. A Review

Abstract

Background. Martial Arts (MA) are complex systems that involve both psycho-motor facets and cultural traditions. Although Western approaches tend to discern between meditative movement for health, competitive sports, and ethnic rites, many martial arts have to be regarded as holistic entities that comprise medical features, physical exercises, and mystical perspectives. Methods. Review, critical comparative analysis. Results. Cardiologic studies upon the martial arts mainly explore the Chinese disciplines of Tai Chi Chuan 太极拳and Qigong 气功and speak about cost-effective and safe ways of treatment. These approaches are applied to reduce hypertension and high heart rate and might have positive effects on endothelial function and heart rate variability. In addition to these cardiac perspectives, Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong proofed to exhibit preventative and therapeutic effects on anxiety and depression, hence their function for controlling psychopathological sequelae of heart conditions. A wealth of studies highlights that these martial arts also improve the patients’ quality of life and enhance their adherence to rehabilitation programmes. For some years, also Karate and Judo have gained ground in cardiology. Conclusion. Chinese Martial Arts are a viable means in cardiac rehabilitation. From the perspective of cross-cultural research in medicine, more studies on the martial arts that involve both Western and Chinese theories of cardiology are required.