Martial arts increase oxytocin production

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated that oxytocin (OT), a peptide hormone, plays an important role in regulating mammalian social behaviors, linking it to social affiliation in parent-infant attachment, romantic and filial relationships, and other prosocial behaviors, such as trust and cooperation. Not surprisingly, research efforts have been made to increase endogenous levels of OT. In the present study, we investigated whether traditional martial arts training, which integrates the natural benefits of physical exercise with dyadic prosocial interaction, would result in OT response. To this end, 68 beginner and advanced participants were recruited from several schools practicing Jujitsu ("soft art"), a form of traditional martial arts originating in Japan. Salivary OT levels were assessed at baseline, immediately following high-intensity training, and following a cool-down period. Analyses revealed a significant increase in OT immediately after a high-intensity training, returning to baseline levels following a cool-down period. Additionally, although no significant difference between beginner and advanced martial artists was found, a significantly higher increase in salivary OT followed ground grappling, as compared to "punch-kick" sparring, indicating an added benefit of close contact tactile interaction. These results suggest that the reportedly socially beneficial effects of traditional martial arts may be in part mediated by OT release and underscore the potentially therapeutic applications of these methods for disorders involving social dysfunction, such as autism, conduct problems, or schizophrenia.

Figure 1

Comparison of salivary oxytocin response between beginner and advanced martial artists during martial arts training. A significant change from baseline to peak-training, as well as from peak-training to post-cooldown, was found for both groups. However, neither the main effect of belt level, nor the interaction between time of saliva collection and belt level, were statistically significant.

Figure 2

Comparison of salivary oxytocin response between grappling and sparring sessions of martial arts. A significant change from baseline to peak-training, as well as from peak-training to post-cooldown, was found for both groups. Whereas the main effect of type of randori did not reach statistical significance, the interaction between time of saliva collection and type of randori was significant, reflecting a significant difference in OT response between grappling and sparring immediately following peak-training.

Figure 3

Schematic representation of the martial arts session and salivary sampling for oxytocin.