Effects of taekwondo on health in older people: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects of taekwondo on health in elderly individuals. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA recommendations and registered on PROSPERO, as number CRD42021279561. The electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched, with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “martial arts” and “aged” and the alternative terms “taekwondo”, “elderly”, and “older”. We included studies that analysed the effects of taekwondo on health-related variables in older adults of both sexes. The risk of bias of the included experimental and quasi-experimental studies were analysed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies – of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool, respectively. Results: Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. The interventions of the included studies ranged from 6 to 17 weeks, with 45 to 90 minutes per training session, and frequency from 3 to 5 times a week. The total sample number was 160 participants, with a predominance of females in the samples. After the taekwondo intervention, the protocols demonstrated improvement in muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and body composition. Conclusion: The investigated studies showed that taekwondo can effectively maintain health and develop physical qualities in the older population. Nevertheless, these findings should be considered preliminary due to the relatively small sample and heterogeneity of the interventions of the identified studies.