Applied Sciences, Vol. 16, Pages 10858: From Fall Prevention To Injury Prevention: The Role Of Martial Arts-derived Training In Older Adults—a Narrative Review

Applied Sciences, Vol. 16, Pages 10858: From Fall Prevention to Injury Prevention: The Role of Martial Arts-Derived Training in Older Adults—A Narrative Review

Applied Sciences doi: 10.3390/app162110858

Authors: Artur Kruszewski Bartłomiej Gąsienica Walczak Dariusz Boguszewski Agata Aleksandra Pałka Rafał Tabęcki

Falls are among the leading causes of injury, hospitalization, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Traditional fall-prevention programs primarily focus on reducing fall risk through improvements in balance, muscle strength, and functional performance, while less attention is paid to mitigating the consequences of unavoidable falls. This narrative review aimed to evaluate the potential of martial arts-derived exercise and safe-fall training as complementary approaches to fall and injury prevention in older adults. Publications published between January 2000 and March 2026 were identified using combinations of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) related to safe falling, fall prevention, injury prevention, older adults, martial arts, balance training, and physical activity. Evidence from interventions incorporating elements of boxing, judo, aikido, tai chi, and self-defence training was analysed, with particular attention to balance, postural control, mobility, dual-task performance, protective responses, and fall preparedness. Current evidence suggests that appropriately adapted martial arts-based interventions may improve several factors associated with fall risk and injury mitigation, including postural stability, functional capacity, coordination, reaction time, and cognitive-motor performance. Emerging evidence also indicates potential benefits of safe-fall training in developing protective movement strategies during loss-of-balance situations. The INNOAGON (Innovative Agonology) model is discussed as a framework integrating motor, cognitive, and behavioural components across multiple levels of prevention. However, most available studies have evaluated functional, behavioural, and biomechanical outcomes rather than clinically meaningful endpoints. Consequently, direct evidence demonstrating reductions in fall incidence, fractures, fall-related injuries, hospitalizations, or long-term disability remains limited. Martial arts-derived exercise may therefore be considered a promising complementary component of multifactorial healthy ageing and fall-prevention programmes. Further large-scale prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether observed improvements in functional outcomes translate into meaningful clinical benefits in real-world settings.