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

Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that intense physical activity affects both the physical and mental aspects of the body. However, few attempts have examined the effects of daily combat and martial arts training on the human brain.

Trained judoka athletes comprised the case group while non-athlete students with limited weekly physical activity formed the control group. This study employed a comprehensive combination of methods, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, exercise tests, and VO2 max measurements for physical assessment. Psychological evaluation was conducted using the Symptom Checklist-90, the NEO Personality Inventory, PANAS, and STAI scales. Additionally, fMRI analysis was performed using a 3-Tesla MRI scanner to collect both structural and functional brain imaging data.

The athletes' group performed significantly better in almost all physical tests and variables (P < 0.05). Functional brain analysis revealed significant activation in several brain regions in the athletes' group when exposed to violent stimuli compared to the control group. Psychologically, they scored higher in paranoid ideation and were less neurotic, more extroverted, more agreeable, and more conscientious than the control group (P < 0.05).

A comprehensive combination of three distinct methods has been used in this study to cover all aspects of investigating the impacts of combat activities on the human brain, aiming to achieve the highest accuracy.

Our findings underscore the potential benefits of martial arts and daily combat training on both physical and cognitive functions, with implications for competitive fighting and adaptive responses to environmental threats.