The Benefits of an Inclusive Karate Program on an Individual’s Well-Being

Happiness and longevity, including a desire to reach 100 years old and earn the title of “centenarian,” are common goals for many (Ekerdt et al., 2017). In Blue zones, or geographic areas with longer life expectancies, these goals often become a reality, with a greater number of centenarians observed than in other regions. Okinawa, Japan, for example, has a centenarian prevalence of 7234 per 100,000, exceeding the national average by 30% (National Institute of Population and Social Security Research [IPSS], 2022; Human Mortality Database [HMD], 2021). In other developed countries such as Canada, where cultural factors promote sedentary lifestyle habits, the centenarian population is reduced by approximately half to 3664 per 100,000 (HMD, 2021). To combat this, the implementation of biohacks from regions such as Okinawa, where longevity is linked to social health and light exercise, may prove to be beneficial (Inoue et al., 2009; Kavedžija, 2015; Yamada et al., 2012). These biological strategies, implemented on a “do-it-yourself” basis, ultimately aim to improve quality of life and well-being (Meyer, 2020). Karate, an accessible Japanese exercise overcoming constraints such as poor infrastructure or access to healthy foods, is one such approach, ultimately supporting participants by promoting exercise and social connection (Inoue et al., 2009).