Cardio-Judo in Long-term Cardiac Rehabilitation. A Feasibility Study for Clinical Practice and Heart Support Groups.

Background. Long-term cardiac rehabilitation has become a means of vital importance in national health systems. It enhances the sustainability of benefits of cardiac surgery and acute cardiologic treatment and helps to prevent the recurrence of pathological events. For decades, sports have become a cornerstone of cardiac rehabilitation and Chinese martial arts such as Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong have gained ground. By contrast, Judo is usually not considered a viable means for cardiac rehabilitation. This paper, however, advocates Judo for heart patients and highlights specific advantages as well as necessary risk control. Material and methods. The research was conducted with cardiac patients of the Austrian Heart Association. Methods comprised (i) comparison of exertion and movement patterns of Judo with sports medical guidelines of cardiac rehabilitation; (ii) application of guidelines to prevent risks of harm through physical exercise in heart patients; (iii) qualitative research on psychosomatic self-attribution and motor-learning abilities. Results. Specifically tailored Judo is a feasible and beneficial add-on-intervention in cardiac rehabilitation. It has manifold advantages, can enhance the attractiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation, and helps to improve sustainable adherence. Conclusion. Martial arts and in particular Judo seem to provide a perfect balance between endurance and resistance training, to enhance motor-coordination and metabolic parameters, and to have positive effects on the psyche and behaviour. Further studies are needed to more distinctly draft guidelines for best practice. Cardio-Judo might become a standard option in long-term cardiac rehabilitation.