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

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Intense physical activity impacts physical and mental health.
• Limited research exists on combat sports' effects on the brain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of daily combat and martial arts training on the human brain.
• To compare physical, psychological, and neural differences between trained judoka athletes and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Utilized International Physical Activity Questionnaire, exercise tests, and VO2 max for physical assessment.
• Conducted psychological evaluations using Symptom Checklist-90, NEO Personality Inventory, PANAS, and STAI.
• Performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using a 3-Tesla scanner for brain imaging.

Main Results:

• Athletes demonstrated superior physical performance (P < 0.05).
• fMRI revealed significant brain activation in athletes when exposed to violent stimuli.
• Athletes exhibited higher paranoid ideation, lower neuroticism, and increased extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Martial arts and combat training offer physical and cognitive benefits.
• Findings suggest positive implications for competitive fighting and adaptive responses to threats.