Objectives: To evaluate the benefits of martial arts on the functional aspects and quality of life of elderly individuals, and the level of evidence of the results.

Methods: A systematic review of randomized clinical studies was performed using the Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SciELO, LILACS and PEDro electronic databases. A specific search strategy was developed for each database, and all published studies were included, regardless of the data collection instruments or the date of publication. The eligibility criteria followed the PICOT strategy, and the level of evidence of all outcomes was assessed using the GRADE scale. Initially, 1682 studies were retrieved, and duplicates were identified and excluded using the RAYYAN platform. After analyzing the title and abstract, eligible studies were read in full, and ten studies were selected for inclusion in this study.

Results: The meta-analysis showed a significant difference in the assessment of functional mobility for the martial arts group, whereas the control group (physically active) showed a difference in balance and handgrip strength. Quality of life meta-analysis was not possible because of study heterogeneity. In the evaluation of the level of evidence, GRADE results indicated a serious risk of bias because there was no blinding of the raters and a serious risk of imprecision because of the low number of patients evaluated; thus, the evidence has low clinical certainty.

Conclusion: Taekwondo (adapted) and Muay Thai (ritual dance) are indicated as intervention approaches to improve the functional mobility of elderly people. However, the results of related studies have a low level of evidence. Future studies may change the state of the art. REGISTRATION: The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (ID number and hyperlink: CRD42022313588).