Effect of combat sports on physical fitness and activities of daily living of older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the effects of combat sports (CS) on the physical fitness of older individuals. Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA criteria and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022378159). MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that observed older adults submitted to CS programs that reported physical fitness outcomes. The methodological quality and the risk of bias were evaluated using the TESTEX scale and Cochrane Collaboration tool, respectively. Results. Seventeen RCTs were included in the systematic review and 6 provided data for the meta-analysis. The CS analyzed in the studies were Tai Chi Chuan, Taekwondo, and Jiu-Jitsu, with a duration of interventions ranging from 8 to 48 weeks (≅ 57 min/session, 3 ×/week). There was evidence of increases in muscle strength, flexibility, agility, and balance in the participants who practiced CS (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in the absolute values of execution time in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test after the intervention, indicating improvement in balance (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.60 to 0.16; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%). Balance assessed by the Berg balance scale (BBS) showed significant differences (SMD: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.61; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%) in favor of participants in the experimental group. Conclusions. The current results pointed out that the different CS is effective in physical fitness, improving the performance of activities of daily living in older adults.