Abstract
There is robust evidence of the health-related benefits of martial arts. A wealth of studies shows how Chinese Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong enhance life quality, well-being, respiratory capacity, and cardiovascular functioning. Although Japanese and Korean martial arts similarly involve full body exercises, energy concepts, health philosophies, and exertion patterns, they are rarely considered for medical purposes. And yet, Karate has become popular for its positive effects on health and is internationally in the ascendant. Studies that identify well-defined benefits and explore preventive mechanisms of Karate and the global spectrum of the martial arts are still needed. The study intends to explore possible benefits of martial arts for sports medicine and occupational health purposes, particularly for the prevention of overuse syndromes, and to inspire further evidence-based research on this topic. Narrative review and phenomenological synthesis. Occupational medicine explores the aetiology of work-related overuse syndromes and tries to provide viable preventive measures. Insufficient muscular strength, abnormal posture and compensation patterns, and repetitive strain can cause pathological states. Since martial arts, such as Karate, training strengthens the musculoskeletal system, balances the muscle tonus and helps to readjust the posture, positive effects on the prevention of occupational overuse syndromes (OOSs) and musculoskeletal diseases can be assumed. Pointing out that consensus has not yet been reached, the paper suggests a modified and individually tailored form of Karate, the adaptation of sports training standards, such as warming-up and stretching, and self-regulation skills, as viable key factors for a sports-based decrease of work-related overuse risks. This low-cost intervention has a high potential to control OOSs, requires enhanced collaboration between sports medicine and occupational medicine, and is likely to reduce expenses for treatment and rehabilitation in national health systems.
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