Assessment of hormonal parameters in long-term karate Practitioners

Introduction: Karate is a Japanese martial art which is widely practiced in the Western world as a form of self-defense, as well as a discipline to achieve physical and mental balance.However, little is known with respect to its specific psychobiological effects, particularly in relation to the influence that karate may exert on the endocrine system. Thus, in the present study we analyzed the effects of regular karate practice on several hormonal parameters. Methods: 27 healthy volunteer subjects participated in the study, of whom 15 were allocated to the experimental group, and 12 were assigned to the control group. Experimental subjects were karate players with a minimum of 3 years of practice in this discipline. Blood samples for the quantification of hormonal parameters (TSH, T3, T4, PTH, ACTH, cortisol, and DHEA) were taken in both groups. To compare the means of the control and experimental group, a t-test for independent groups was performed in each dependent variable. Results: Significant differences between the experimental and control group were found in T3, T4, and cortisol, with karate players showing lower blood levels of these hormones than control. Conclusions: These findings reveal that long-term karate practice is associated to a significant endocrine modulation, which suggests interesting psychobiological implications, and lends itself to potential clinical considerations. Further research is needed to properly assess the scope of the peculiar hormonal profile displayed by advanced karate practitioners.Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Variations of biochemical and hematic parameters following Taoist qigong practice

Qigong is an ancient Chinese psychosomatic discipline which employs specially designed body movements to achieve mind-body integration, preserve health, and pursue longevity. The Taoist school of qigong, one of the main traditions within this Chinese discipline, has a particular approach that emphasizes naturalness for the achievement of those goals. Albeit diverse methods of qigong have already been shown to display significant psychobiological effects, Taoist qigong has been scarcely investigated to date. Thus, this research was carried out with the aim of shedding light on the effects of Taoist qigong on biochemical and hematic parameters measured shortly after practice. Forty five naive subjects participated in the study, twenty-eight in the experimental group and the rest in the control group. Experimental subjects underwent a qigong training program consisting of three half-hour guided sessions per week, for the period of one month. Blood samples for the quantification of biochemical and hematic parameters were drawn from all subjects the day before the experiment commenced and one hour after the last session of practice concluded. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed as statistical analyses. Our results showed that after completing the qigong program, experimental subjects displayed lower levels of serum albumin, as well as lower values of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), when compared to control. These findings, therefore, reveal that the practice of Taoist qigong for a short period of one month exerted a peculiar biochemical and hematimetric influence, which suggests interesting psychobiological and clinical implications.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec