Boxen als Intervention in der psychischen Gesundheit

Study confirms transformative power of martial arts on mental health

Welcome to my boxing coach Hamburg blog! As a passionate boxing trainer, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a scientifically based study that sheds light on the transformative power of martial arts on mental health. For years I have been convinced of the positive effects of martial arts training on myself and my clients. Time and time again, I see my athletes’ moods lift during training and reach their peak after training. I still see the same effect in myself to this day. After more than 30 years, I can’t remember a day when I didn’t just feel better after training, but felt as good as a tree. The good thing is that this feeling is sustainable and lasts for a long time. Fedor Emelianeko, one of my absolute martial arts idols from earlier days, once said that this was the only reason for him to train regularly – the happy and satisfied feeling after training.

Hundreds of satisfied athletes and clients have confirmed to me over the years that training together has a direct positive influence on their mood and physical condition and my success as a (personal) trainer supports this assumption significantly.

My clients often come to our beautiful gym, the Zanshin Dojo in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, visibly tense and stressed from everyday life. But after just a short time in our session, I notice a clear improvement in their mood. Whereas at the beginning there is still tension in their faces, their facial expressions relax over the course of the training session and they become more relaxed. In some cases , personal boxing training even releases emotional blockages, which in a few cases can even lead to tears.

For this reason, the fundamental findings from the study below are not really news to me. Many years ago, they were the initial motivation for me to introduce all non-martial artists to boxing, Thai/kickboxing training and everything that goes with it. Anyone who practices martial arts intensively knows the positive effects that boxing has on the body and mind. The effect after training is comparable to extended meditation, which in direct comparison not only strengthens the psyche, but also has positive effects on the cardiovascular system, metabolism, muscle building and much more. You can find a detailed list of the many positive physical and mental effects of martial arts training further down on my page!

After all, I learned to love martial arts for precisely these reasons. I am deeply grateful to martial arts because it helped me out of a prolonged difficult phase at a young age and made me a virtuous, stable person. I am therefore particularly pleased to have come across this scientific study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which supports my long-held beliefs that have been born out of practice. The study,“Boxing as a Mental Health Intervention“: provides a fascinating insight into the multiple mental health benefits that can be achieved through non-contact boxing training. As a trainer, it is important for me to emphasize not only the physical but also the mental aspects of boxing. This study confirms the enormous positive effects that boxing training can have on well-being.

The study was conducted by renowned researchers who carried out a detailed review of the existing literature on boxing and mental health. The results are extremely promising and show that non-contact boxing training, i.e. everything but sparring, can be an effective method of reducing anxiety, depression, PTSD and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In addition, boxing is highlighted as a cathartic release of anger and stress, showing improved mood, self-esteem, concentration and more.

As an athlete myself, I have found that boxing not only promotes physical fitness , but also builds mental strength. This study underlines the importance of boxing training as a holistic method for promoting well-being and quality of life. I invite you to learn more about the fascinating results of this study and discover the transformative power of boxing training for yourself.

Find out how you can benefit from the health advantages of my entire range of services and feel free to contact me if you have decided to tackle the transformation of your life. Over the years, I have acquired the necessary expertise through various courses of study and further training to be able to offer my clients individual and holistic training concepts for mental and physical transformation.

Let’s walk the path to a healthier and happier life together – with martial arts as the key to mental strength and balance.

You can find a detailed overview of my entire offer here: My offer

Summary

The study examines the potential effects of boxing as an intervention to improve mental health. To date, there has been limited evidence on how boxing can specifically impact on various mental health problems. The researchers conducted a review of existing academic literature to find out what research already exists on this topic and to identify gaps in knowledge.

A total of 16 studies were included that considered non-contact boxing as an exercise intervention to improve various mental health conditions. Specific high-intensity exercises were performed, which showed significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and schizophrenia. In addition, non-contact boxing has been found to provide a cathartic release of anger and stress and improve mood, self-esteem, confidence, concentration, metabolism, strength and coordination.

The study highlights that the use of physical activity as an intervention to treat mental health problems is particularly relevant as many patients prefer alternative and non-pharmacological treatments. Past studies have already shown that physical activity has positive effects on mental health. In particular, aerobic exercise that includes high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve both metabolism and mental health.

Boxing is a form of physical activity that combines HIIT with mindfulness (i.e. being alert and aware) and can show significant improvements in stress reduction, weight loss, self-esteem, mood and concentration. The structure of boxing, which is organized by “rounds”, allows for an intense workout with short recovery periods. Traditional non-contact exercise techniques for boxing include jumping rope, shadow boxing, pratfall work, speed& double end ball, punching bag work and other boxing and martial arts specific exercises that train motor skills.

The aim of this study was to establish a baseline understanding of the use of boxing as an exercise intervention in mental health and to investigate existing gaps in knowledge. The study also highlights the importance of experienced coaches and supportive coaching, which plays an important role in boxing. Participation in boxing training can help to create a sense of connection, which can make the experience less isolating for individuals with mental health problems. In addition, the results show that boxing can be a form of exercise that is suitable for both men and women. positive effects for both men and women and can be a safe and effective method of coping with stress and other mental health problems.

Overall, the present study suggests that boxing as a non-contact-based exercise method is a promising intervention for improving mental health.