Enhancing health-related physical fitness through Arnis: effects of a martial arts training program on collegiate students

Background and Study Aim. Arnis, a Filipino martial art, is recognized for its potential to enhance physical fitness, yet its comprehensive impact on health-related fitness remains underexplored. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of the Arnis Training program (ATG) on Health-related Physical fitness of untrained Collegiate Students. Material and Methods. The study randomly selected 192 college students, divided into two groups: Arnis Training (n=96) and Random Physical Activity (n=96). The ATG participated in a 10-week program with sparring and Anyo sessions, three times a week for 60–90 minutes, led by a certified instructor. The Random Physical Activity Group (RPAG) engaged in self-selected physical activities, following the same schedule. Pretesting and post-testing measured endurance, strength, and body composition using five tests: one-minute push-up, planking, three-minute step, 1 Repetition Max Bench Press (1RMBP), Back Squat (1RMBS), and a Skin Caliper test for lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM). Post-testing occurred three days after the training to minimize fatigue. Paired t-tests were used for within-group comparisons, and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons. Results. Results indicated that Arnis training improved overall health-related fitness for all, especially females. Males did not gain in cardiovascular endurance or fat mass. The RPAG achieved better squatting strength and LBM for all, with males showing gains in cardiovascular fitness and fat mass. Moreover, the ATG outperformed in most areas except squatting strength, with females displaying notably higher fitness components than those in RPAG. The findings suggest Arnis effectively enhances fitness, particularly for females, though sex-specific requirements necessitate tailored programs emphasizing cardio or fat-reduction. Conclusions. The findings emphasize that ATG and RPAG training programs led to notable fitness improvements, but the ATG program showed more consistent gains across various fitness components. This suggests incorporating Arnis training into fitness programs could be highly beneficial, particularly for enhancing cardiovascular endurance, strength, and body composition. With its emphasis on agility, coordination, and strength, Arnis may offer a holistic approach to improving overall fitness. Its potential as a comprehensive training tool highlights the value of integrating martial arts-based programs into physical education and sports regimens to promote better health outcomes. This study underscores the importance of exploring diverse training methods like Arnis to optimize fitness and physical performance.