Neural mechanisms and social support for mental health in old age by martial arts exercise

TL;DR

Martial arts exercise can improve mental health and cognitive function in older adults by enhancing brain mechanisms and providing social support.

Contribution

This review highlights the neural mechanisms and social benefits of martial arts for mental health in aging populations.

Findings

Martial arts increase BDNF expression and neuroplasticity, supporting cognitive and emotional health.

Both hard and soft martial arts practices offer distinct benefits for cognitive and psychosocial well-being.

Martial arts reduce loneliness and enhance emotional resilience through community engagement.

Abstract

The increasing global aging population presents significant challenges related to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and social isolation. Martial arts exercise emerges as a multifaceted intervention promoting mental health and cognitive vitality among older adults by integrating physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social interaction. This review synthesizes evidence on the neural mechanisms underlying the benefits of martial arts, highlighting their role in enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, neuroplasticity, and neural connectivity, which support improved executive functions, memory, and emotional regulation. Both hard martial arts and soft practices, such as Tai Chi, offer distinct advantages in addressing age-related cognitive and psychosocial challenges. Additionally, martial arts foster strong social support systems, reducing loneliness and enhancing emotional resilience through community engagement and shared achievement. Physical and functional benefits, including improved strength, balance, and cardiovascular health, further contribute to overall well-being. Despite promising results, current studies are limited by heterogeneity in martial arts styles, short intervention durations, and variable methodologies. Future research should focus on long-term, standardized interventions employing advanced neuroimaging and biomarker assessments to better elucidate mechanisms and optimize training protocols. Integrating martial arts into health promotion strategies holds substantial potential for enhancing mental health, cognitive resilience, and quality of life in aging populations.

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