The effect of hand strengthening techniques in martial arts on bone mineral density – pilot study
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Proceedings of the 1st World Congress on Health and Martial Arts in Interdisciplinary Approach, HMA 2015. |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | http://proceedings.archbudo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/101_ArchBudoConfProc.pdf |
| Field | Sport and leisure time activities |
| Keywords | sports;healthy lifestyle;combatives; self-defence;security |
| Description | Hand strengthening techniques were used in most traditional Asian martial arts as preparatory exercise for hardening of striking areas, as injury prevention and a method for developing powerful striking techniques. They were also used for passing knowledge and tradition down to other practitioners. According to the Wolff's law, loading on a particular bone leads to remodelling of the bone overtime to become stronger and more resistant. The aim of the paper is to find out the effect of 100-day lasting intervention programme of strengthening techniques on both hands of one tested person. X-ray apparatus, ultrasonography and densitometry were used for the description of physiological changes. The research showed an increase in bone mineral density in both hands after the intervention (right upper limb with BMD increased by 2.1%, the left upper limb with BMD increased by 1.6%). A stronger effect in the right hand was traced. The research cannot be considered final evidence but is a pilot study for further more in-depth investigation of health benefits of strengthening techniques. |