SHAH ALAM, 10 June 2025 – The academicisation of Silat Malaysia continues to gain international attention as Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie, Associate Professor at UiTM and President of the World Silat Federation (WSF), leads a series of groundbreaking research projects that are reshaping the scientific understanding of Silat as a modern combat sport.
In a recent academic forum hosted by UiTM’s Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Dr. Nizam presented seven key research projects that have significantly contributed to the evolution of Silat training, coaching, and performance analysis.
7 Silat Research Projects That Changed the Game:
- Biomechanics of Silat Movements – Analysing the efficiency and injury prevention aspects of traditional Silat techniques.
- Plyometric Training for Silat Athletes – Studying the impact of explosive training on agility and power in young pesilat.
- Silat Tempur Activity Profiling – Comparing performance patterns between winners and losers in youth competitions.
- Psychological Profiling in Combat Sports – Exploring mental toughness and anxiety levels among Silat athletes.
- Silat Curriculum Development – Establishing a national and international syllabus for Silat Malaysia education.
- Martial Arts Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy – Investigating the role of Silat in promoting Malaysia’s soft power abroad.
- Digital Coaching Tools for Silat – Creating web-based platforms for remote Silat instruction and performance feedback.
“Silat is no longer confined to the gelanggang. It now lives in journals, classrooms, and international conferences,” said Dr. Nizam.
These research efforts have been published in SCOPUS-indexed journals and presented at global events such as IMACSSS and ACPES, further cementing Malaysia’s leadership in martial arts science.
