Abstract - Martial Arts Interventions for Adult Physical Fitness A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Cardiorespiratory, Strength, and Balance Outcomes
Background. Martial-arts training may confer multiple fitness benefits for adults, but the reliability and magnitude of these effects remain unclear due to small, heterogeneous trials.
Problem and aims. Evidence on how martial arts training affects adult fitness is limited and inconsistent. This review aimed to synthesise controlled trials and estimate Bayesian pooled effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and balance.
Methods. We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis. Eligible studies (2014–2024; including articles available online early in 2025) included community-dwelling adults (≥18 years) in martial arts programs lasting at least four weeks and reporting physical fitness outcomes. Data were synthesised using weakly informative priors.
Results. Ten studies (N = 536; seven RCTs, three quasi-experimental) met inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis indicated within-group improvements across fitness domains. Bayesian pooled standardised mean differences (g) were: 0.77 (95% credible interval [CrI]: -3.19, 4.95) for cardiorespiratory fitness; 0.25 (95% CrI: -0.34, 0.80) for muscular strength; and -0.72 (95% CrI: -3.74, 2.26) for balance. Heterogeneity was substantial. Posterior probabilities that the true effect exceeds zero were 76%, 90%, and 1%, respectively. All 95% prediction intervals included zero.
Conclusions. Martial-arts interventions are adaptable and often improve individual outcomes, but current evidence is highly heterogeneous, yielding imprecise pooled estimates and precluding definitive conclusions. Larger, standardised RCTs are needed.