Effect of Karate Training on Visual Evoked Potential: An Observational Study

Karate is a combative practice, which involves rhythmic breathing, dual limb action, mental rehearsing and sensory perception which engages a variety of brain areas, qualifying it as a mind body activity. Based on high reactivity of this open skill art form, the present study attempts to observe and compare the neurophysiological effect of habitual karate training on the visual cortex in male karate practitioners and active controls. The comparative assessment among both the groups was performed using a non-invasive marker—the visual evoked potential (VEP).

VEP was measured in 15, experienced male karate practitioners (9.5 ± 1.26 years) and age-matched school going boys (10.6 ± 1.57 years) through latency and amplitude domains of the N75, P100, and N145 waves. Intergroup comparison was conducted to understand the long-term effects of karate training as one of the determinants of positive changes on the visual cortical pathway.

The results suggested that regular karate training among the practitioner group was associated with significantly shorter latency of the most reproducible P-100 wave in both the left and right eye, in comparison to the control group though independent t-test (P < 0.05).

Karate is a rapid visually demanding martial art form that contributes to the development of sensory cognition through various neurosensory modalities, which assimilate through the visual optic pathway, ultimately leading to better evoked visual responses. Neural signal transmission time of the P-100 peak shows shorter latency in the practitioner group than the control group. Thus, the study depicts karate as a mind body exercise to develop better focus and concentration for day-to-day activities. It is not only a sport or a self-protection art form but also a neuro facilitator.