Effectiveness of martial arts training vs. other types of physical activity: differences in body height, body mass, BMI and motor abilities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between various forms of physical activities and anthropometric parameters and motor abilities of female students. Measurements took place at the beginning and at the end of the summer semester. It involved 303 first-year full-time female students. The body height, body mass and BMI of participants were determined. Thirteen motor tests were administered to assess motor abilities. The tallest and slimmer students chose martial arts and jogging followed by sauna, whereas the shortest students opted for aerobics and swimming. Students with higher body mass and higher BMI scores were more likely to participate in golf, aerobics, general Physical Education (PE) and swimming classes. Students involved in martial arts, swimming and jogging scored highest in the majority of motor tests. The choice of physical activity (PA) correlated with body height, body mass, BMI and motor fitness. In most motor ability tests, a significant improvement in performance was observed in students who had opted for martial arts, swimming and jogging followed by sauna, which indicates that those activities had the most profound influence on the participants' motor fitness levels.

Keywords: Women; Motor performance; Anthropometric features; Forms of physical activity; Physical education