Shirley S.M. Fong
Martial arts were developed for use on the battlefield in ancient times, and even in the modern world many people learn such skills for self-defense [1]. Despite their combative nature, training in marital arts is safe compared with many other contact sports. The use of protective equipment such as mouth guards and headgear is mandatory during sparring, and practitioners must follow strict competition rules in many types of martial arts [2]. In addition, some types of martial arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong are noncombative in nature, with practitioners focusing on coordinated movements and relaxation during practice – all of which are beneficial to practitioners’ health [1,3]. These days, the popularity of martial arts is increasing, particularly among young people [4]. There are about 200 distinct martial arts types or disciplines around the world, each with its own training characteristics and philosophy [5]. Only the most common types of Oriental and Western martial arts and their associated health effects are introduced in this book. These martial disciplines include the internal (e.g. Tai Chi and Qigong) and external (e.g. Choy Lee Fut and Shaolin Kung Fu) Chinese martial arts, Taekwondo, Thai Boxing, Western Boxing, Wrestling and Fencing. The following paragraphs provide a brief introduction to these arts.
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