Effects of martial arts-based training on force, respiratory pressure production, neuromuscular activation, and spinal compression during heavy load carriage

Physically demanding occupations, including military and emergency services, require personnel to undertake tasks such as heavy load carriage, which frequently result in back pain and injury. Respiratory pressures (transdiaphragmatic and intra-abdominal) are associated with spinal support, force production, and stability, yet few training interventions have targeted these mechanisms directly. Traditional martial arts are linked with enhanced control of respiratory pressures and related neuromuscular activation, offering a novel approach to training. This PhD project investigated martial arts-based training to better understand and target these mechanisms, and explore their potential occupational relevance. The first two studies developed and validated methodology for assessing striking performance and spinal compression. Study 1 demonstrated the validity and reliability of the Impulse Block Method to measure velocity and initial momentum of palm strikes. Study 2 established ultrasonographic measurement of inter-transverse process distances as a reliable method to quantify lumbar spinal compression during load carriage. Study 3 assessed acute responses to a novel training method (Neuropotency Training), which integrates multimodal biofeedback and specialised instruction to accelerate the learning and application of martial arts-based principles. Compared to controls, Neuropotency Training resulted in higher respiratory pressures and activation of abdominal muscles during exercises. Study 4 implemented a 12-week intervention, where the Neuropotency Training group showed decreased load carriage-related spinal compression, increased force production and stabilisation, and higher respiratory pressures and associated neuromuscular activation during select exercises, compared with traditional training and control groups. Collectively, these findings provide new evidence on how martial arts-based breath-control training influences respiratory pressures, neuromuscular activation, force production, and spinal mechanics. A key contribution of this work was the implementation and evaluation of a novel multimodal biofeedback method (Neuropotency Training), which enabled participants to rapidly acquire principles of breath control and motor control that traditionally require years of martial arts practice to develop. These adaptations have potential for translation to reduce heavy load carriage-related back pain and injury, and improve physical performance in military, emergency services, and other physically demanding occupations.