Taekwondo is a martial art and an Olympic sport that is practised all over the world. Past studies have shown that Taekwondo benefits adults, but studies have also revealed that Taekwondo is extremely beneficial to children also.
Taekwondo improves cognitive functioning of children
A study by Lakes, et al. (2013) found that school students pursuing Taekwondo showed improvements in behavioural and attentional controls. Students of Taekwondo demonstrated self-improvement in physical fitness and self-control, along with positively perceiving the art of Taekwondo. The results of the study concluded that Taekwondo is both acceptable and feasible to implement as an exercise program in a public school, as it improves the cognitive functioning of school students. [1]
Taekwondo improves mood states in children
Yang, et al. (2018) studied the effects that Taekwondo training had on the mood states in children from multicultural families. The study demonstrated that mood states of children showed improvement and it was suggested that regular Taekwondo may be effective for the improvement of the mood states of children. [2]
Taekwondo improves self-regulation in children
In a recent study by Ng-Knight, et al. (2022), it was revealed that Taekwondo courses can improve self-regulation in children. The study concluded that children positively accepted Taekwondo courses, symptoms of conduct problems were reduced and self-regulation was improved, which included prosocial behaviour, activation control, verbal working memory, and switching. [3]
Taekwondo improves all-round development in children
Taekwondo is a martial art having its own values, philosophy and tenets, that children learn along with achieving physical fitness. Taekwondo is not just about fitness goals, its also about building solid habits. Taekwondo teaches respect for oneself and others in a disciplined way. It also teaches patience and how to believe in oneself. Taekwondo provides all round development of children as it enhances physio-psycho-social development. A study has also shown that Taekwondo may help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Conclusion
Taekwondo improves both physical and emotional health, and this improvement reflects in other areas, most particularly in academic studies. Children from Taekwondo classes show dramatic improvement in their school studies and regularly report improved grades. Sincerity, dedication, confidence, and achievement show a marked improvement in every activity they undertake in life. All these together help the children to become successful in whichever vocation they may choose to pursue later in life. Ultimately, due to the values, morals, and ethics instilled by the practice of Taekwondo, the children grow up to become highly responsible, much valued, and most respected members of their respective societies and countries. Taekwondo is not just a martial art or a combat sport, it is a way of life.
References:
1. Lakes, Kimberley D., et al. “The healthy for life taekwondo pilot study: a preliminary evaluation of effects on executive function and BMI, feasibility, and acceptability.” Mental health and physical activity 6.3 (2013): 181-188. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1755296613000318 [Accessed on 8 November 2022]
2. Yang, Jung Su, Jae Myun Ko, and Hee Tae Roh. “Effects of regular Taekwondo exercise on mood changes in children from multicultural families in South Korea: a pilot study.” Journal of physical therapy science 30.4 (2018): 496-499. Available at: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpts/30/4/30_jpts-2017-606/_article/-char/ja/ [Accessed on 8 November 2022]
3. Ng-Knight, Terry, et al. “Does Taekwondo improve children’s self-regulation? If so, how? A randomized field experiment.” Developmental Psychology 58.3 (2022): 522. Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-15237-001 [Accessed on 8 November 2022]
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