BONE MASS BY QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND OF FINGER PHALANGES IN YOUNG KARATE PRACTITIONERS

Quantitative Ultrasound Examination (QUS) of the Calcaneus in Long-Term Martial Arts Training on the Example of Long-Time Practitioners of Okinawa Kobudo/Karate Shorin-Ryu

Quantitative research of bone tissue related to physical activity (PA) and sport has a preventive dimension. Increasing the parameters of bone tissue strength, especially reaching the maximum value of peak bone strength in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood due to practicing sports can contribute to maintaining bone health throughout life. Practicing martial arts (tai chi, traditional karate, judo, and boxing) can effectively improve the quality of bone and reduce the risk of falls and fractures. The study aimed to evaluate the calcaneus bones among Okinawa Kobudo/Karate Shorin-Ryu practitioners using the quantitative ultrasound method as an indicator for assessing bone fracture risk. Forty-four adult martial arts practitioners with a mean age of 36.4 participated in this study. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) with a portable Bone Ultrasonometer was used in this study. Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and the stiffness index (SI) were measured. Subjects were assigned to two groups of black and color belts, according to the advancement in Kobudo/karate practice. The measurements of the SI, BUA, SOS, T-score, and Z-score were significantly higher in subjects from the advanced, long-term practice (black belts) (p < 0.05). The long-term martial arts training in traditional karate and Kobudo significantly impacts the parameters of the calcaneus quantitative ultrasound measurements. Significantly higher bone density was observed among the black belt holders. Long-term practice subjects achieved results far beyond the norm for their age groups. Further studies using non-invasive methods of bone quantification are needed to determine the specific conditions for preventing osteoporosis through physical activity, sports, and martial arts, particularly the duration of the activity, the magnitude of loads, and other related factors.

Anthropometric and fitness normative values for young karatekas

To provide information regarding the anthropometric and fitness profile of young karatekas and to study its evolution with age. Data from top-level karatekas were included in the analysis: 97 athletes in the U14 category (12–13 years old), 238 in cadet (14–15 years old), 261 in junior (16–17 years old) and 177 in U21 (18–20 years old), which makes a total of 773 athlete data sets. Karatekas underwent anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index and body fat percentage) and fitness (sit and reach, 20-m shuttle run, standing long jump, overhead 3-kg ball throw, 10x5-m shuttle run, and plate-tapping) assessments during the training camps organized by the Spanish National Karate Federation between 1999 and 2016. Male karatekas were taller and heavier, and performed better than females in all the fitness dimensions assessed, except for flexibility and speed of upper limb movements. The obtained cardiovascular and lower-body muscular values indicated that karatekas in this study were placed between the 80th and the 90th percentile when compared with the general population. The results of the agility, coordination and speed of upper limb movements, and flexibility tests showed that the karatekas obtained much higher scores than those observed in age-matched populations. Young karatekas show a high fitness level in comparison with the general population, especially with regards to aerobic performance, lower-body muscular power and upper-limb movement speed. Reference values of anthropometric and fitness dimensions are provided in order to be used by coaches, conditioning trainers and sport scientists when testing young male and female karatekas.

Evaluation of Anterior-Posterior Spine Curvatures and Incidence of Sagittal Defects in Children and Adolescents Practicing Traditional Karate

Background and Study Aim

To evaluate anterior-posterior spine curvatures and incidence of sagittal defects in children and adolescents practicing traditional Karate.

Material and Methods

152 people aged 6-16 yrs, mean age 10.5±3.03. The study group (SG), subjects attending traditional Karate classes for min one year, 60 minutes twice a week (76 people). The control group (CG) randomly selected on 1:1 basis to match SG. The anterior-posterior curvatures were measured with a gravitational inclinometer. Sauder's norms were used to assess postural defects. Body mass, height, and BMI were measured. Mann-Whitney U-test/Student's t-test for independent variables, χ² test, and Cramer V test were used in statistical analysis.

Results

Significant differences were observed between the groups in lumbosacral inclination ALPHA1 p<0.001; karateka had significantly lower ALPHA 1 and greater thoracic inclination (GAMMA TH/L) p=0.23. In study group, lumbosacral angle flattening (ALPHA 2) (81.6%) was greater than in CG (56.6%). ALPHA 2 (43.4%) was more frequently within the norm in CG. Increased ALPHA 2 was reported only among SG (2.6%). Differences were statistically significant (χ² (2) = 15.23 p<0.001) and of moderate power (Cramer V=0.31). Regarding thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions

Traditional Karate affects pelvic tilt leading to posterior tilt; it correlates with somatic parameters: height, mass, and BMI in terms of spine curvatures. The size of the lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in karatekas is comparable to that of those not practicing sport. Frequent incidence of reduced pelvic tilt in karatekas requires implementing exercises activating anterior tilt during training session.