The Benefits of Playing Combat Sports

Do you know the benefits of practicing contact sports? Read along and you'll be surprised by the benefits that they provide for your mind and body.
The Benefits of Playing Combat Sports

Last update: 23 October, 2019

More and more athletes have decided to practice combat sports. In fact, these disciplines bring along incredible benefits for the mind and body. In this article, we’ll share the numerous benefits of these sports.

Combat sports offer a confrontation between participants in the form of competition. However, an important aspect of these sports that brings along scores of fans is the amount of respect that there is between athletes.

The discipline and respect that’s required in these sports can make some athletes see their practice as a way of life. The main component of these types of sports is that they encourage self-control and confidence.

What are the benefits of practicing combat sports?

There are many popular combat sports such as boxing, karate, and kickboxing. However, there are other disciplines including taekwondo, aikido and even krav maga. In any case, practicing any of these sports can bring along incredible health benefits.

Combat sports are good for your health

In the first place, there’s no doubt that one of the great benefits is that these sports are good for your health. They all have one thing in common: they’re a full-body workout.

Combat sports combine cardiovascular activity, muscle strengthening, flexibility, and balance. That’s why they’re an excellent way to develop muscles and to learn how to defend yourself.

As if that wasn’t enough, this type of exercise promotes constant movement and cardiovascular health. As a result, they can help improve resistance.

This cardiovascular workout is due to the training and the movements that have to be performed in these sports.  As with any sporting activity, combat sports also stimulate circulation and the improvement of self-awareness.

woman boxing

Positive for the mind

Practicing this exercise provides numerous benefits for the mind as well. If you’re a person who lives with a lot of stress and needs to let off steam, combats sports may be the solution you’ve been looking for. 

These types of sports are ideal for disconnecting. They can be a great way to forget your routine and release accumulated stress.

In addition, learning martial arts techniques requires intense focus and concentration. This can help improve attention spans.

Practicing combat sports can also teach you how to handle stress, relieve pressure and to channel your emotions. In other words, all combat sports help you feel better about yourself.

Improved coordination

As if all of that wasn’t enough, practicing combat sports can also help you manage your reflexes and improve your coordination and balance.

Most of these sports are based on specific movements that help to develop concentration and physical agility. In other words, they help speed up reflexes and improve coordination.

Expand your social circle

As with other sports, combat sports can be a great way to meet new people. This will help you grow your social circle. You may think that learning martial arts has nothing to do with socialization, however, you’ll have to use your social skills to interact with your instructors and other classmates.

Women karate class

In combat sport classes, the atmosphere is usually pleasant. Classes may include men and women of any age group and physical condition. If you want to improve something, don’t hesitate, talk to your instructors and classmates.

There are many different combat sports for all tastes and ages. In addition to teaching you how to defend yourself, they also bring along numerous benefits. What are you waiting for? Pick your favorite combat sport.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


    • Woodward, T. W. (2009). A review of the effects of martial arts practice on health. WMJ : Official Publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, 108(1), 40–3. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19326635
    • Burke, D. T., Al-Adawi, S., Lee, Y. T., & Audette, J. (2007, March). Martial arts as sport and therapy. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.
    • Fukuda, D. H., Stout, J. R., Burris, P. M., & Fukuda, R. S. (2011). Judo for children and adolescents: Benefits of combat sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 33(6), 60–63. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3182389e74

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.