Abstract
Purpose Karate is a martial arts discipline which is widely practiced in the Western world as a form of self-defense, as well as a discipline to achieve physical and mental balance. However, little is known with respect to its specific psychobiological effects, particularly in relation to the influence that it may exert on the endocrine system. Thus, in the present study, we examined the effects of karate on several hormonal parameters of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axes in long-time practitioners. Methods Twenty-two healthy volunteer subjects (12 experimental and 10 controls) participated in the study. Experimental subjects were karate players with a minimum of 3 years of practice in this discipline. Blood samples for the quantification of hormonal parameters were taken in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed for each variable in order to analyze the differences between groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in cortisol and thyroid hormones, with the karate group showing lower levels of these hormones as compared to control. Conclusions These findings, therefore, reveal that long-term karate practice is associated with a significant endocrine modulation, which suggests interesting psychobiological and clinical implications. Further research is needed to verify these preliminary results, as well as properly assessing its possible use as a psychosomatic intervention tool.
Highlights
Karate, literally translated as ‘empty hand’, is a Japanese martial art developed in Okinawa at the XIX and XX century
Regarding the possible influence of karate practice on HPT axis activity, there is a significant lack of scientific research; in this respect, we have found only one study, with another martial art discipline used, showing no significant changes on the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) [37]
Our results in cortisol appear to suggest that karate practice is related to a decrease in the function of the HPA axis; no significant differences were observed in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S)
Summary
Literally translated as ‘empty hand’ (kara meaning empty, and te meaning hand), is a Japanese martial art developed in Okinawa at the XIX and XX century. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) axis activity, with its widespread influence on physiology and behavior [32], can be affected by physical exercise like the HPA axis, decreasing or increasing thyroid hormone levels in response to exercise [33, 34] In this sense, it has been proposed that the specific influence of exercise on thyroid function is controversial and seems to depend on the exercise type and the intensity and the duration of the training program [35, 36]. Like other martial arts, includes a relevant and integrative mind-body component which entails itself an interesting holistic approach It seems logical, that the possible beneficial effects of karate on health occur by both, the physical and mental or psychological components; in this sense, researching the psychobiological influence of its training could provide relevant information about the possible implications in the clinical field and health. The purpose of this work has been to examine the effects of karate on several hormonal parameters of the HPA (ACTH, cortisol, and DHEA-S) and HPT axes (TSH, T3, and T4) in long-time practitioners
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