The Impact of Martial Arts-Based Fall Training Programs on Health and Well-Being in Individuals with Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Regular participation in physical activity is essential for maintaining health and well-being and plays a key role in disease prevention and quality of life, both in the general population and among people with disabilities, who represent approximately 16% of the global population. Martial arts-based physical activity programs incorporating safe-falling techniques may contribute to improving physical fitness, reducing fall-related injuries, and supporting adherence to the World Health Organization physical activity recommendations. This systematic review primarily aimed to identify martial arts-based fall-training programs, particularly judo-based interventions, and examine their effects on health and well-being in individuals with intellectual disability. As a secondary objective, evidence from other populations and martial arts disciplines was considered to identify relevant fall-training protocols and transferability. Methods: The research question was formulated using the PEO framework. Eligibility criteria included: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or special educational needs; exposure to exercise programs involving martial arts, combat sports, or judo; and outcomes related to safe falling, falls, balance, motor skills, and physical condition. A systematic literature search was conducted between December 2025 and April 2026 on the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: From a total of 658 records identified, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 1892 participants with various disabilities, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, visual impairment, and deafness. The interventions involved different martial arts modalities, such as judo, taekwondo, karate, tai chi, and capoeira. Overall, the available evidence suggests beneficial effects on physical fitness, motor abilities, balance, psychosocial outcomes, and safe-falling skills across different populations; however, substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity was observed among the included studies. Conclusions: No studies investigating structured martial arts-based fall-training programs in individuals with intellectual disability were identified. Although evidence from other populations is promising, it remains heterogeneous. Further high-quality studies are needed to evaluate these interventions in individuals with intellectual disabilities.