Martial arts in the workplace: Can your employees "fight" their way to safety? Employers are beginning to use martial arts as a way to teach safety and reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace

Risk & Insurance, April 15, 2002 by William Atkinson

When you think of the martial arts, you probably think of Bruce Lee if you're over 40 and Jackie Chan if you're under 40. What images do the martial arts raise? Usually ones of high-flying kicks, lightning-quick punches, and artful dodging, accompanied by well-timed yells.

Believe or not, this just might be a good way to teach safety and reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace.

The first thing to understand about martial arts is that, in its purest form, it is about "inner" awareness: mental discipline, concentration, physical balance, coordination, leverage and flexibility. In fact, the most successful fighters who specialize in the external fighting arts (karate, tae kwon do, etc.) begin their training by learning these inner skills before they learn the more visually impressive ones. And it is these inner skills that many employers are beginning to find hold so much potential for reducing accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Gail Choate, president of synergies! In Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has been studying the martial arts for 10 years and is a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do. She uses these skills to teach self-defense classes. More commonly, however, she uses her skills and knowledge as an instructor in tai chi, chi gung, and yoga to help employees reduce accidents and injuries by improving their balance, concentration and flexibility. (Chi gung, also known as chi kung and qigong, is a Chinese discipline that builds energy and circulates the internal energy known as "chi." Tai chi is a fusion of martial arts and chi kung.)

Recently, Choate taught a chi kung class to officers in a sheriff's department to help them improve balance and flexibility, as well as to reduce stress. "Some of them found so much value in the training that they asked me to return once a week to continue the program," she states.

Another instructor who emphasizes the benefits of martial arts in reducing workplace injuries is B.K. Frantzis, founder of Energy Arts in Fairfax, Calif., an organization that provides training in many Chinese martial arts. He sees benefits both for white-collar workers as well as blue-collar workers.

The Benefits

For white-collar workers, most injuries in this area are repetitive in nature, especially in the arms, wrists, and hands. "The best way to prevent these types of injuries is to maintain flexibility in the tendons, joints, and muscles," states Frantzis. These include the shoulders, upper arms, elbows, forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers. "If these stiffen, repetitive motion injuries can result," he continues. "Tai chi and chi gung contain specific subtle mechanics that help maintain flexibility in the tendons and joints."

Another common problem in the white collar area relates to posture. "Most people have poor postures when they work," explains Frantzis. "For example, when sitting at desks, they hunch their shoulders forward and upwards toward the neck." This can lead to at least three problems. One is spinal problems that need attention from chiropractors. Second is a gradual decrease of blood to the brain, as the upper back and shoulder muscles continue to tighten and restrict the blood flow over the months and years. "Over time, this condition can lead to diminished mental faculties, which can lead to lowered productivity, as well as accidents resulting from reduced concentration," cautions Frantzis. Third, and an even more serious problem, the reduced blood flow can make people more prone to heart attacks and strokes.

Blue-collar workers can suffer from a number of injuries that tai chi and chi gung can reduce or even prevent. Workers can get injured when lifting or twisting because of problems with physical coordination and flexibility. "For example, if your balance is not good, you can over-stretch," states Frantzis. Tai chi and chi gung teach techniques to transfer energy and weight throughout the body. For example, when lifting, the techniques teach how to shift energy and weight from the arms to the legs.

Workers can also suffer injuries from overwork, causing the body to "fatigue out." Tai chi and chi gung teach muscle relaxation techniques to prevent fatigue and strain.

"Many blue-collar workers also suffer from joint problems," continues Frantzis. "Tai chi and chi gung promote joint rotation, allowing joints to remain loose and flexible." The techniques also teach participants how to slighfly shift weights in certain areas of the body, preventing specific joints from wearing out.

Tai chi and chi gung can also reduce onetime traumatic accidents because they teach relaxed concentration. "This is important for people working certain jobs for long periods of time, such as assembly line equipment," he notes. With relaxed minds, workers can maintain concentration. If concentration is lost, injury can result.

Finally, tai chi and chi gung can help improve hand sensitivity, which can be helpful in preventing accidents. For example, a worker may be able to feel a subtle change in a machine's vibration that might indicate an impending failure. "If someone is lifting a box, he may be able to feel a slight shift in weight that could cause it to topple," adds Frantzis.