The health benefits associated with Combat Sports.
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Combat sports has been around for thousands of years. That is 1000 years of champions and millions of fights. The champions from this ancient time inspired others with the feats they accomplished in combat sport competition. This notion of the champion, a member of the public daring to pursue and achieve glory through discipline, training and mental fortitude. These success comes with a layer of vulnerability; to show all that you have worked on out in public. In the boxing space, the ring is often referred to as the 'chamber of truth' with the competitors knowing who won between each other.
With all this considered, is there benefit to this pursuit?
This blog post will touch on the scientifically proved benefits of combat sport participation.
It is widely known that the physical exertion leads to improved cardio-respirator fitness. This health improvement has been correlated to improve life expectancy and quality of life in all fit persons. When looking at brain health we know the exercise demand increases cerebral or brain blood flow providing this essential organ with nutrients and oxygen needed for sustaining activity. Like with everything, the more you do something the better you become at doing it, and improving brain blood flow is no different. The bodies adapts by building more blood vessels with a phenomenon known as 'angiogenesis'. Provided the brain and body tissue are tested enough 'but not too much' the body will adapt in a beneficial way.
Additionally, the physiological state of the brain (hormone and neurotransmitter levels and direction) have been shown to improvement in clinically depressed patients. The theory is, the blood blow and neurological activations that result with movements lights up the brain. This brain activation spreads to all parts of the brain and down the nervous system encouraging further activation, or a spreading depolarisation, from one section of the body to another.
These exercise benefits greatly adapt the cardio-respiratory (heart and lung) system, with improvements to this fitness resulting in a substantial decrease to all cause mortality.
Due to the interconnectivity of the brain, stimulus like exercise can 'kick-start' the neural circuits that run the human neurological machine'
The movements behind correct punching mechanics is difficult. It takes years to hone the coordination to throw proper punches, kicks, sprawls and grappling manoeuvres and even longer to perform these movements under the great stress of martial art competition. The training is addictive and consuming, with the sole purpose to build coordination and capacity so integrated that the movements become second nature; an ingrained part of your nervous system that the athlete can rely on in times of discombobulation.
More specifically, boxing training has been proven to greatly benefit the nervous system, especially in parkinsonian patients. Currently, many programs utilise boxing training as the key exercise in Parkinson's disease management and recovery. The hand and eye coordination demand boxing places on the body not only improves the neurological circuits of the brain responsible for the initiating and ceasing of movements, but it also improves the parkinsonians athletes confidence. This allows these athlete to better approach the variety of tasks life gives them.
"Boxing training is a staple in parkinsonians disease rehabilitation"
It's difficult to pin-point why humans feel connected to a group of people, with the community at martial arts gyms no different in this community sense. Psychologists have observed an intrapersonal (internal) benefit to the martial arts expression and a social interactive (external) benefit. Internally, the Junge psychologists would understand the concept of the shadow and how bringing aspects of this nature of us humans through a healthy ego can yield cathartic benefit. Externally, the nature of boxing is raw and non-negotiable. No special privilege exists in the gym. if you work hard you succeed, if you don't work hard you don't succeed. Boxing strengthens the weak through this discipline away from the social hierarchy that may exist outside.
This benefit are not only achieved in the high intense sparring exchanges, but in any sense where an exceeding of ones pre-conceived limitations occur in. To overcome a difficulty training session improves the dopamine release of that person that improve athlete affect. This work increases your comfort in your own skin. This generalised exercise benefit affect paired with a feeling of acceptance and belonging is a great benefit in a martial arts gym.
"Belonging to any team or a group is crucial in maintaining social health benefits for the combat sports athlete"
Combat sports participation is great for your health. It improve your physicality, your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, your mindset and links you with like-minded people. If you are participating in combat sports from a contact perspective, ensure all injuries are under control. This can be in the form of activity limitation i.e., no sparring if you recently been concussed OR no long distant running if you've recently sprained your ankle. Adjust your activity, maintain your home exercise and rehab processes if injury does find you. If you maintain this longevity mindset, you can participate in your sport longer with less niggles and issues on the way and once you move onto another sport.
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This touches on some of the key questions around sleep. What is it? how much do I need? What are the benefits of good sleep hygiene. Join us as we delve into the key concepts of health.
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This blog post will touch on the importance of a strong and adaptable neck and it’s relationship with the eyes. We will round up with some anecdotes from my clinical experiences.
Based in Sydney Australia, my goal is to provide high quality information about boxing injuries, chiropractic, and academia to the boxing and wider sporting communities.
