CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF 16 WEEKS OF MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING IN ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sedentary habits increase the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Physical activity is one of the means of prevention and treatment of these diseases, thus martial arts represent a dynamic option in promoting physical activity. Objective: The objective of the study is analyze the effects of 16 weeks of Martial Arts (Muay Thai or judo) training on cardiovascular variables in adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of 40 adolescents, aged 11 to 14 years, divided into two groups: Martial Arts (n=28) and control (n=12). Weight and height measurements were taken to calculate body mass index. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) at rest, pulse pressure (PP) and rate-pressure product (RPP), were also measured. The intervention was carried out through Martial Arts (Muay Thai and judo) training held twice a week for 90 minutes, over 16 weeks. The control group did not undergo any training. The statistical analysis was performed using the following tests: Shapiro-Wilks, Levene’s, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), eta-squared effect size and the net-effect, using SPSS 15.0 software and a significance level of 5%. Results: There was no statistical difference between the control and Martial Arts groups for the sample characterization. There was a significant difference in systolic BP in the Martial Arts group when compared with the control group (p-value=0.049). The effect size can be considered moderate (effect size=0.163), with a good net-effect (3.4 mmHg). Conclusion: This study showed that 16 weeks of Martial Arts decreased systolic BP in normotensive adolescents. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies - Investigating the results of treatment.摘要 引言：久坐行为会增加心血管疾病的发病风险，体育活动是此类疾病预防与治疗的重要手段之一，而武术（Martial Arts）则是推动大众参与体育活动的一项充满活力的选择。 研究目的：本研究旨在探讨16周武术训练（含泰拳（Muay Thai）或柔道（judo））对青少年心血管相关指标的影响。 研究方法：本研究纳入40名11至14岁的青少年，按分组分为武术组（n=28）与对照组（n=12）。研究人员测量所有受试者的身高与体重以计算体质量指数（Body Mass Index, BMI），同时检测静息状态下的收缩压与舒张压（blood pressure, BP）、心率（heart rate, HR）、脉压（pulse pressure, PP）以及心率血压乘积（rate-pressure product, RPP）。干预组接受每周2次、每次90分钟的武术训练，训练内容涵盖泰拳（Muay Thai）与柔道（judo），干预周期共16周；对照组不接受任何形式的体育训练。统计分析采用夏皮罗-威尔克（Shapiro-Wilks）检验、莱文（Levene’s）检验、协方差分析（Analysis of Covariance, ANCOVA）、η²效应量以及净效应分析，数据分析软件为SPSS 15.0，检验水准设定为5%。 研究结果：两组受试者的基线样本特征无统计学差异。与对照组相比，武术组的收缩压水平存在显著统计学差异（p值=0.049）。该效应量属于中等水平（效应量=0.163），净效应良好（3.4 mmHg）。 结论：本研究结果显示，16周武术训练可显著降低正常血压青少年的收缩压水平。证据等级：Ⅱ级；治疗性研究——探讨治疗效果。