Uli'eo Koa--warrior preparedness

The Uli'eo Koa Program was developed to study physiological and spiritual changes that occurred in a group of active Native Hawaiian adults participating in a specially designed, culturally appropriate exercise and diet intervention that approximated the training for Native Hawaiian warriors. Program components were physical exercise (including traditional Hawaiian lua [fighting art]), a traditional Hawaiian diet (THD), lomilomi (Hawaiian massage), and a culturally rich health education program for active Native Hawaiian adults. Periodic assessments of muscle strength/fitness, flexibility, body composition, weight, body mass index, as well as other indicators, were compared to current standards of clinical medicine and science related to physical performance. Differences observed from baseline to post-intervention suggested that the Uli'eo Koa Program may be effective in improving the health of Native Hawaiians. Limitations and clinical implications of the study are discussed.