Researchers in the Netherlands have said that martial arts training could be a good way for osteoporosis patients to reduce the risk of injuring themselves when they fall.

The background of the study proposed that as osteoporosis is a well-established risk factor for fall-related hip fractures, martial arts (MA) fall techniques might be useful to prevent hip fractures in persons with osteoporosis, provided that the training itself is safe.

Young adults performed sideways and forward MA falls from a kneeling position on both a judo mat and a mattress as well as from a standing position on a mattress. Hip impact forces and kinematic data were collected. For each condition, the highest hip impact force was compared with two safety criteria based on the femoral fracture load and the use of a hip protector.

The study concluded that the MA fall training was expected to be safe for persons with osteoporosis if appropriate safety measures are taken. For example, during the training, persons with osteoporosis should wear hip protectors that could attenuate the maximum hip impact force by at least 65 per cent, perform the fall exercises on a thick mattress, and avoid forward fall exercises from a standing position.