Martial Arts Research Articles

This article considers the dialectics of plasticity at the intersection of art, boxing, and political ecology. It focuses on the visuality of Black male boxers in Jean-Michel Basquiat oeuvre. I explore how Basquiat viewed the struggle of artistic expression (art’s plasticity) as akin to prizefighting. I draw from the critical aesthetic maneuvers of the French theorist Georges Bataille, and the realist painter Gustave Courbet in order to show how art’s plasticity rivals the political ecology of global capitalism, by tracing a common root between economy and ancient martial arts. I consider the recent boxing match between heavyweight champion Oleksander Usyk and former champion, Tyson Fury as a capitalist spectacle of sacrifice and consumption that serves as a form of ‘sportwashing’. The article culminates with an exegesis on prizefighting in relation to the concept of extinction, one of the marker horizons of the global oil economy. While the connection between prizefighting, extinction and war may not seem obvious, I reference the financial alliances animating the global media apparatus that underpins the visibility of today’s martial arts. The article is organized in 12 rounds, with each round encompassing a particular move or strategy of striking (with art).

Traditional research has difficulty in precisely evaluating students’ movements in martial arts teaching, and cannot provide targeted teaching suggestions based on students’ characteristics in personalized guidance. This study constructs a movement evaluation and personalized guidance system for martial arts teaching by integrating the EfficientNet model with a recommendation algorithm based on collaborative filtering. First, EfficientNet is used to perform multi-category classification evaluation on martial arts movements, and the cross-entropy loss function is used to improve the classification accuracy. Then, combined with the students’ historical movement performance, a collaborative filtering algorithm based on the Pearson correlation coefficient is used to recommend personalized training plans for each student. Grid search is used to optimize hyperparameters such as user neighborhood size and similarity measurement to ensure the accuracy and diversity of recommendation results. Experimental data shows that after systematic teaching evaluation and personalized guidance, the average score of students increases by about 15.84%, and the average self-assessed satisfaction (1-5) of students after the recommended content reaches 4.1. The system can accurately evaluate students’ movement performance and provide targeted training suggestions based on individual needs.

ABSTRACT Lateral ankle sprains in martial arts athletes frequently leave persistent proprioceptive and neuromuscular deficits. This prospective cohort study evaluated whether adding low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) augments recovery. Five hundred sixty athletes with grade I–II sprains (mean age 22.6 ± 2.7 years) were stratified to LFES + PNF (n=280) or proprioception-only (n=280) for 12 weeks, with assessments at baseline and Weeks 2, 6, and 12. Outcomes included pain (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), ankle range of motion (ROM), joint position sense (JPS), surface EMG, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), electromechanical delay (EMD), Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and dynamic balance. Mixed ANOVA/ANCOVA with effect sizes and nonparametric validation (Friedman/Wilcoxon) were applied. Compared with proprioception-only, LFES produced greater pain reduction (VAS −5.0 vs −4.1; p<0.001), higher PPT (+1.6 kg/cm²), and larger ROM gains (+9.2° dorsiflexion; +6.4° plantarflexion). JPS error decreased by −3.5°, with 78% achieving ≤3° accuracy. EMG latency decreased by 7.8 ms and amplitude increased by 17.2 µV; SEP latency normalized in 78% with amplitudes reaching 4.1 µV. EMD improved by −19.7 ms (p=0.001), FMS increased by +2.9 points, and composite recovery criteria were met more often with LFES (51% vs 28%; p<0.001). No serious adverse events occurred. These findings indicate that LFES adjunct to proprioceptive training accelerates sensorimotor recovery and enhances functional outcomes after lateral ankle sprain in martial arts athletes.

Purpose. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and practical experience, to substantiate the choice of martial arts system for implementation in the process of physical education in high school. Materials and Methods. Research methods: the study utilized analysis and synthesis of contemporary scientific and methodological literature, as well as relevant online sources, in combination with the generalization of practical experience. Results. For the first time, this review article presents a comparative critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of various combat sports, including traditional martial arts, Eastern martial systems, and national styles. Based on the findings derived from the literature, the paper substantiates the feasibility (or lack thereof) of introducing specific types of combat sports to support the harmonious personal development of high school students within the framework of physical education. Characteristic features and potential health-related risks associated with representatives of the three aforementioned groups are examined in detail. Conclusions. The choice of physical activity types for high school physical education should be grounded in a balance of physiological safety, methodological consistency, and age-appropriate adaptation. Eastern martial arts, owing to their structural clarity and strong educational focus, are significantly more appropriate for integration into the physical education curriculum of general secondary schools compared to mixed martial arts (MMA), as well as national Ukrainian styles such as Boyovyi Hopak, Spas, Horting, and belt wrestling. Although these national systems are visually impressive and culturally resonant, their intense physical demands on adolescents and limited relevance for practical self-defense purposes, in our view, make them less suitable for systematic implementation in school-based physical education.

Purpose. To analyze the competitive activity of qualified female taekwondo athletes in light-weight categories. Materials and Methods. The study employed the following scientific methods: theoretical analysis and synthesis of literature sources; pedagogical observation; video-computer analysis; and methods of mathematical statistics. The competitive activity of qualified female taekwondo athletes in the light-weight category (up to 49 kg) was analyzed using the mobile application «Martial Arts Video Analysis». A total of 30 competitive bouts of female athletes at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships and the 2023 European Cup were examined. Results. The analysis of competitive activity revealed that winners performed on average 20.43 actions per fight, which is 15 % more than the defeated athletes. The average number of points scored by winners was 6.97 per fight, almost twice as many as those scored by the losers. The average overall efficiency was 24.87 %. The effectiveness of technical and tactical actions in the first part of the fight was 18.41 %, in the second part – 27.27 %, and in the third part – 24.52 %. The interval between actions averaged 6.51 seconds. The diversity of actions was 2.67 per round. Regression analysis did not reveal statistically significant predictors, but there was a tendency toward significance for «Efficiency per fight» (p=0.072) and «Diversity of actions» (p=0.073). Analysis of specific technical and tactical actions showed that the weighted efficiency of winners (30 %) was almost twice that of losers (15.7 %). Three main technical and tactical actions accounted for 75 % of all points scored by winners, namely: Yop chagi (middle level) (1.77 points, 29 % of total), Ap joomuk chugi (close distance) (1.70 points, 28 % of total), and Ap joomuk chugi (long distance) (1.10 points, 18 % of total). Conclusions. The analysis of competitive activity in martial arts is crucial for predicting athletes’ success in competitions and for improving training methodologies. Success in competition largely depends on the effectiveness of an athlete’s technical and tactical performance. In the second part of the fight, light-weight female taekwondo athletes demonstrated an increase in technical and tactical activity and higher quality execution. Winners exhibited greater diversity in their technical and tactical repertoire (2.67 per round) compared to losers (1.57 per round). Logistic regression results indicated a tendency toward statistical significance for «Efficiency per fight» (p=0.072) and «Diversity of actions» (p=0.073), underscoring the importance of these indicators for competitive success. Three key technical and tactical actions provided 75% of the winners’ total points: Yop chagi (middle level), Ap joomuk chugi (close distance), and Ap joomuk chugi (long distance).

How martial arts training affects psychological states and brain function and structure: An fMRI study.

Purpose: to conduct a comparative analysis of the psychophysiological reactions of wrestlers of different ages. Materials and Мethods. Thirty-six male Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers participated in the study. All athletes were divided into three age groups of 12 wrestlers each: Group 1 – juniors (aged 18-20, qualification: MSU and KMSU); Group 2 – cadets (aged 15-17, qualification: KMSU and 1st rank); Group 3 – younger juniors (aged 12-14, qualification: 1st and 2nd rank). Psychophysiological reactions were assessed using the following tests: simple motor skills; resistance to distracting factors; simple visual-motor reaction; simple auditory-motor reaction; reaction to static objects; reaction to a moving object; difference reaction; choice reaction from dynamic objects; assessment of tempo perception (80 beats/min-1); assessment of the accuracy of reproducing a given line; speed of reproducing a given line; assessment of the perception of changes in object size. Statistical analysis was performed using the licensed program Statistica 10. Descriptive statistics are presented as the mean, standard deviation, 1st and 3rd quartiles, median, minimum and maximum results. The reliability of differences between the study groups was assessed using the Mann-Whitney criterion. Results: the following percentage differences were observed between the «junior» and «cadet» groups: from 0,9 % to 2,0 % in simple reactions; from 1,1 % to 25,4 % in complex reactions; from 3,1 % to 27,4 % in specific perceptions. Between the «juniors» and «younger juniors» groups: from 1,7 % to 7,0 % in simple reactions; from 1,7 % to 30,0 % in complex reactions; from 4,5 % to 29,8 % in specific perceptions. Between the «cadets» and «younger juniors» groups: from 0,4 % to 4,9 % in simple reactions; from 0,4 % to 3,6 % in complex reactions; from 1,2 % to 13,6 % in specific perceptions. Conclusions. The results of psychophysiological reactions in wrestlers of three age groups: juniors, cadets, and younger juniors. A comparative analysis of the study groups showed that the best results in all tests were observed in the «juniors» group, but a significant difference was observed only in the «Simple auditory-motor reaction» test (U=21,0; p&lt;0,001). The worst results were observed in the «younger juniors» group. These results can be explained by the fact that psychophysiological reactions improve with age and training experience. The tests used are characterized by accessibility, specificity, informativeness, and financial feasibility. The results obtained allow us to recommend their use for monitoring the condition of athletes in various types of martial arts.

This Community Service Program (PKM) was designed to strengthen national character and identity through the application of Asta Cita values among the residents of Rejuno Village, Karangjati District, Ngawi Regency, East Java. Conducted over two days, the program involved active participation from youth groups, community leaders, and village officials. The activities consisted of the introduction of national and civic values, interactive discussions with local figures, and group reflections aimed at formulating social commitments rooted in the Asta Cita principles. The findings show a notable increase in participants’ understanding and appreciation of the eight core values: patriotism, mutual cooperation, honesty, responsibility, hard work, discipline, tolerance, and social justice. Moreover, local wisdom and traditions—such as martial arts practices and community deliberations—were revitalized as effective tools for embedding these values within daily life. This program highlights that national character building does not solely rely on formal education or governmental initiatives but can also grow organically from community-based cultural practices. By integrating local heritage with national ideals, the PKM successfully promoted a sense of unity, civic awareness, and moral responsibility among the people of Rejuno Village, illustrating how local culture can serve as a strong foundation for fostering national identity and integrity.

Understanding the psychological effects of martial arts training requires models that can bridge the gap between observable physical behavior and subjective cognitive states. This study proposes a deep learning framework that explicitly uses questionnaire-derived emotional and attentional labels as the primary supervision signal to evaluate the psychological impact of explosive martial arts actions. Rather than treating questionnaires as auxiliary or post-hoc validation tools, we integrate them directly into model training and evaluation, enabling a human-centered interpretation of motion dynamics. The proposed architecture, combining a Trajectory-Aware Spatiotemporal Perception Network (TASPN) with Dynamic Viewpoint Induced Optimization (DVIO), processes multimodal video data while being guided by psychological insights encoded in participant questionnaires. Our results on questionnaire-annotated subsets show strong predictive performance for both emotion regulation and attention assessment tasks, outperforming baselines and confirming the viability of fusing subjective human reports with spatiotemporal modeling. This integration offers a principled pathway for psychologically-informed sports analytics, real-time feedback, and individualized cognitive profiling in high-intensity physical training environments.

This study explores the historical evolution of Foshan martial arts culture and its contemporary multifaceted significance, analyzing its social status and challenges in cultural transmission. By examining the formation of community identity within Foshan martial arts communities, the research reveals the developmental trajectory of their collective consciousness. The study innovatively links Foshan martial arts’ cultural development with psychological identity, providing both theoretical insights and applied strategies for safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage within the changing context of modern cultural adaptation.

Boxing is a sport that integrates physical, emotional, and psychosocial development, fostering self-control, resilience, and personal responsibility. Contemporary research indicates that regular boxing training can have a dual psychological impact: on the one hand, it may enhance aggressive tendencies; on the other hand, it can strengthen an individual’s ability to consciously regulate emotions. In the study by A. Aydogan and M. Yildiz (2023), conducted among 146 active boxers, the standardized methods Competitive Aggressiveness and Anger Scale (CAAS) and Vengeance Scale (VS) were used. The results revealed an average anger level of 2.69 ± 0.76 points, aggression of 1.99 ± 0.66, and vengeance tendency of 3.72 ± 0.99. A moderate positive correlation between anger and aggression (r = 0.553; p &lt; 0.001) confirmed the interdependence of these traits. Training intensity appeared to be a significant factor: athletes who trained for more than nine hours per week displayed higher aggression scores (p = 0.038). Similar patterns were found by K. Kostorz and K. Sas- Nowosielski (2021), whose research on 219 martial arts practitioners demonstrated that boxers exhibited the highest levels of physical aggression compared with athletes of traditional martial arts (p = 0.04). Moreover, boxing is increasingly viewed as an instrument of youth resocialization. Studies by D. Jump and H. Smithson (2020) and by A. Ryan, M. John, and P. Hanna (2025) revealed that participation in boxing programs helps reduce impulsivity, develop empathy and self-control, and redirect deviant or criminal behavior toward prosocial engagement. In summary, systematic boxing training should be regarded not merely as a physical discipline but as a comprehensive psychosocial mechanism that combines aggression regulation, stress resilience, and social reintegration, fostering balanced personality development and emotional well-being.

This article examines the issues of motor abilities, which are the foundation on which high achievements in sports are built. In recent years, women have been actively engaged in various types of martial arts, including freestyle wrestling. Wrestling is one of the oldest sports. Wrestling is often perceived as an art. Physical training in martial arts is characterized by rapid growth in speed, strength, coordination abilities, high requirements for the development of the functional systems of the athlete's body. In this regard, improving the process of physical training in women's wrestling, taking into account gender characteristics, is a pressing problem at all stages of the training process. The system of long-term sports training in freestyle wrestling is a single organizational system that ensures the continuity of tasks, means, methods, and forms of training for athletes of all age groups, which is based on purposeful motor activity: the optimal ratio of training processes, education of physical qualities and the formation of motor skills, skills and various aspects; the growth of the volume of means of general and special physical training, the ratio between which is constantly changing, strict adherence to gradualness in the process of increasing loads; simultaneous development of individual qualities in the age periods most favorable for this. The stage of initial training is the most significant stage of training, since it is at this stage that the foundation for further mastery of sportsmanship in the chosen sport is laid. The coach must know the physiological and psychological features of the development of children at this age. Knowledge of the features of the development of boys and girls will prevent physical and psychological stress on children.

The purpose of the article is to study the influence of Chinese national martial arts on the development of physical qualities of Chinese students. The article assesses the level of physical fitness of students who were engaged in Chinese national martial arts during the academic year, and also determines the impact of these classes on the development of basic physical qualities, such as strength, endurance and speed. 97 athletes who study in the 1st year of Hainan University of Economics (China) and undergo sports training in the wushu sports specialization group took part in the testing. During the year, the average level of physical fitness of students improved significantly, in particular, the greatest increase was observed in the development of strength according to the test "Complex strength exercise" (Z=2.21, p&lt;0.05). The improvement is also confirmed by an increase in the share of students with high scores on a set of tests: the number of those who received 5 points increased by 11.36%, and 4 points – by 4.46%, while the share of 3-point scores decreased. Comparison with state standards showed that students of 18-20 years old who are engaged in Chinese national martial arts achieve high results, in particular, exceed the standards for running and pull-ups, which indicates the effectiveness of these activities for the development of physical qualities and can be recommended for wider use among young people.

BackgroundTai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art style that integrates slow and rhythmic movements with synchronized breathing, classified as a mind–body modality. Its practice has been shown to positively impact health markers in various populations, including older individuals. This study reports the protocol for a randomized controlled trial, which aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program, based on the Yang 16-movement form, combined with walking on physical and mental markers of older adults.MethodsThis study is a randomized, single-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group, superiority trial. Forty older adults, aged 60 to 75 years, who are not currently engaged in any systematic strength and/or aerobic training programs, will be randomly allocated on a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group involving a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program combined with walking, or an active-control group involving only walking, both performed twice per week. Candidates with language and cognitive problems, a history of cardiovascular diseases (except controlled hypertension), osteoarticular limitations, recent fractures, severe injuries, or prosthetic placement in the last 6 months will be excluded from the study. Physical outcomes include muscle strength (i.e., maximum muscle strength of knee extensors—primary outcome, lower limbs functional performance, dynamic muscular endurance of knee extensors, handgrip strength, and back-leg-chest strength), functional capacity, static and dynamic balance, muscle thickness, and muscle quality of quadriceps. Mental parameters include quality of life, sleep quality, cognitive function, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. The analysis plan will follow an intention-to-treat approach and protocol criteria.DiscussionThe conceptual hypothesis is that the intervention group involving Tai Chi Chuan and walking will lead to greater improvements in both physical and mental parameters compared to the active-control group with only walking due to its multi-component nature.Trial registrationThis protocol was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06380413) on April 22, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06380413.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-025-09190-1.

Attention mechanisms in deep neural networks for fine-grained martial arts gesture recognition

The article is devoted to the legal regulation of restrictions on banking operations of clients of Ukrainian banks, associated with the imposition of martial law in Ukraine. In particular, it addresses the issues of introducing daily limits on the withdrawal of funds from client accounts in both national and foreign currency, the prohibition of certain types of cross-border transfers, and the legal grounds for imposing such restrictions on the rights of bank account holders to dispose of their funds at their discretion. The author analyzes the norms of constitutional, civil, banking, and international law concerning the National Bank of Ukraine’s observance of human rights and the limits of its competence in establishing restrictions on bank clients’ rights to conduct banking operations. The author emphasizes that, under the relevant norms of the laws and international treaties of Ukraine, restricting an individual’s right to peaceful possession of his property may constitute a justified and proportionate state intervention when the regulator must take emergency measures to protect public interests in financial and banking sector, however, such restrictions should be imposed at the legislative level, rather than through subordinate regulatory acts of the NBU, if they are of a long-term nature. In addition to criticizing the delegation by the legislator to the NBU of the powers to regulate the civil rights and obligations of the parties to a bank account and a deposit agreements, the author notes that the prolonged preservation of the daily limits of certain banking transactions that were introduced since the imposition of martial law, amid significant inflation (over 50%) and devaluation (over 40%) of the national currency over the last three and a half years further narrows human rights in the financial and economic sphere, which are already restricted as a result of the imposition of martial law. As a result, the author concludes that the restrictions on certain types of banking transactions introduced on February 24, 2022, and their continued maintenance without review and adjustment to reflect changed market conditions do not fully comply with international and national standards for respect of human rights and exhibit elements of abuse of law, and in some aspects even illegality. The author recommends abolishing or easing the restrictions the NBU imposes on withdrawing funds from customer accounts and implementing cross-border payments.

Microbial skin infections are a major yet often underestimated concern in contact sports, posing health and performance risks for athletes. This narrative review examines the epidemiology, risk factors, and preventive strategies for three predominant infections—methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), dermatophytic tinea, and herpes gladiatorum—across contact sports such as wrestling, rugby, mixed martial arts (MMA), and American football. Literature from PubMed and Web of Science, along with CDC and NCAA reports, was reviewed to assess infection prevalence and control measures. Wrestling showed the highest incidence of herpes gladiatorum, while rugby and football reported notable MRSA and tinea outbreaks linked to close physical contact and shared facilities. Key transmission factors include skin abrasions, inadequate hygiene, contaminated equipment, and inconsistent adherence to preventive guidelines. Effective prevention requires routine athlete screening, rigorous personal and environmental hygiene, targeted pharmacologic prophylaxis, and athlete education. Although existing guidelines from sports authorities provide valuable frameworks, gaps remain in standardization and implementation across sports. Future research should focus on antimicrobial resistance trends, rapid screening tools, and behavioral interventions to enhance compliance. Strengthening coordinated hygiene protocols and evidence-based preventive strategies is essential to safeguard athlete health and maintain competitive integrity.

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of psychophysiological markers that determine the level of readiness and performance of highly qualified martial arts athletes (boxing, taekwondo) at the stage of sports improvement. The purpose of the study is to conduct an analysis of the psychophysiological state of martial arts athletes (boxing, taekwondo) during the competitive period, and to identify key markers that determine their level of readiness and performance. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, internet sources, and competition materials; recording and analysis of quantitative and qualitative indicators (total number of punches per match, number of scored punches, percentage of successful punches, number of victories in the top 3 matches of the tournament); assessment of psychophysiological state; statistical processing of data. Research results and conclusions. Based on data from the objective assessment of technical-tactical actions, sensorimotor reactions (simple and complex visuomotor reactions), significant differences in indicators were identified depending on the athlete's qualification, gender, and type of sport. It was established that more highly qualified athletes are characterized by significantly shorter reaction latency times, greater stability of reactions, as well as a predominance of qualitative performance indicators (percentage of successful strikes, victories) over quantitative ones. It has been shown that psychophysiological markers (reaction speed, attention stability, CNS stability) are key factors in competitive success. The study results justify the need to integrate objective monitoring of the psychophysiological state into the training system for martial artists in order to enhance the effectiveness of training management and competitive performance.

Does martial arts improve college students' mental health more than general sports? This study examines the nonlinear impact of martial arts intensity on mental health. A cross-sectional survey of 1,280 college students was conducted using the revised martial arts participation scale (including frequency, duration, difficulty, and years) and mental health scales (SCL-90, SAS, SDS). A partial least squares structural equation model analyzed the nonlinear relationship, and the bootstrap method tested mediating effects of self-efficacy and social connection. The latent variable growth curve model assessed the long-term impact of exercise trajectory, and heart rate variability verified the physiological mechanism. Results show that the SCL-90 positive detection rate in the martial arts group was 13.5%, with significantly lower anxiety (45.8±6.5) and depression scores (44.6±5.8) compared to basketball, football, sprinting, and badminton, highlighting the synergistic benefits of martial arts on physical and mental health.

IntroductionThe sense of smell plays an essential role in well-being, influencing relationships, the formation of emotional memories, and protection against toxic substances in food and the environment. Post-traumatic olfactory loss is among the leading causes of olfactory alterations, especially in contact sports like Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which involve frequent physical trauma, particularly to the head. To date, the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and head trauma in fighters remains underexplored.ObjectiveTo evaluate possible olfactory, gustatory, and cognitive dysfunctions in MMA fighters. Methods: Fourteen MMA fighters and 14 control participants, matched for sex and age, were recruited. The participants underwent tests to evaluate olfaction (Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), taste (Modified Global Gustatory Test), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) and quality of life (The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire, SF-36).ResultsA statistically significant difference was found in olfactory function between the groups (p = 0.021), with fighters having a lower mean score than the control group (fighters: 28.5 ± 4.4 vs. controls: 31.8 ± 2.4). Additionally, MMA fighters showed cognitive decline and impairment in quality of life aspects. No difference was observed in gustatory function between the groups (p = 0.508).ConclusionThe results indicate that MMA fighters exhibit impairments in olfactory function, as well as in cognition and quality of life. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed for a more in-depth analysis of the impact of this sport on athletes' lives.