Martial Arts Improves Middle-Age Fitness

If working out in the gym isn't appealing, middle-aged men and women wanting to boost their overall fitness should try martial arts training. Researchers at the Institute of Technology in Westbury, New York found that 40-60 year-olds who practiced soo bahk do, an ancient Korean martial art similar to karate, were in much better shape after three years than their more sedentary counterparts.

They had greater aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, less body fat, better balance and increased heart and breathing fitness.

"Health professionals should be aware that alternative methods, such as martial arts training, can increase physical fitness of middle-aged people," Dr. Peter Douris said in a report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The sedentary group had 12 percent more body fat and could not do even half the number of sit-ups accomplished by the adults who did soo bahk do for at least an hour twice a week for three years.

Soo bahk do involves hand and foot techniques to improve flexibility, strength, stamina, speed and mental focus. It dates back 2,000 years to ancient Korea.

"It appears that soo bahk do training may be a complete form of exercise encompassing all the components of fitness," Douris added.