Mentor/s
Professors Malik and Marmo-Roman
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Physical inactivity increases the risk of death by 20-30% compared to physically active individuals.1 Worldwide, 80% of adolescents are not physically active enough, and with the rise in childhood obesity, the problem cannot be addressed too soon.2,3 Any activity that keeps children active is one that they should keep doing, but there are more efficient and beneficial ways of participating and getting the most out of the activity that children and adolescents do.3,4 The lasting and far reaching effects of physical activity includes the physical health, social functioning, mental health, activity levels and overall quality of life that an individual can have.4,5
There are more than 100 styles of martial arts worldwide, with the most popular being Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and Mixed Martial Arts.6 Taekwondo alone is practiced by more than 30 million people worldwide.6 In the United States alone, martial arts boasts a participation of more than 6.5 million children.7 Martial arts falls into a category known as combat sports, which means that it is a competitive contact sport between individuals following a set of rules to simulate real fighting.6 To understand the full reach of the martial arts umbrella, see Appendix 1 for a visual that breaks down the types of martial arts based on location of origin and style of fighting; pay particular attention to the most common styles of martial arts as previously mentioned, as those are the ones most studied. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the topic of martial arts as its benefits children and adolescents and to compare these benefits to the benefits of other, more traditional sports.
To start this review, the first area of focus is the physical benefits that martial arts offers. These include flexibility, strength, endurance, and power.6,8 The participation in combat sports also causes osteogenic changes, with significant bone growth and increased bone mineral density.9 Another area of focus is the social functioning and mental health benefits that participation in martial arts has to offer. Benefits in feelings of independence, self-control, and self-esteem are seen in addition to social benefits such as increased sociability, patience, good attitude, and increased discipline.8,10 Other findings regarding social functioning demonstrated that combat sports reduced aggression, violence, delinquency, and feelings of anxiety.8,12 The last area of focus is a further look into how martial arts compares to more traditional sports. To do this, variables such as retention rates, perceived benefits, value for money, mental health across sports, and pain and injury levels will be examined.7,11,12,13 This comparison also addresses the benefits of martial arts with regards to special populations, such as those with autism.14
With only one in three children physically active every day, it has become increasingly important to look at the types of activities that will help the child and adolescent grow into adulthood the most effectively to get the most benefits and do the least harm.2 The movement and sports of children and adolescents are important as the effects from such activities encompasses the development of the child into adolescence and adulthood, leaving a lasting impact on their overall health and quality of life.4 The purpose of this literature review is to do exactly that and explain martial arts as it benefits children and adolescents and how that compares to more traditional sports.
College and Major available
Exercise Science BS
Location
Digital Commons
Start Day/Time
5-5-2021 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
5-5-2021 4:00 PM
To What Extent Does Martial Arts Benefit Children and Adolescents, and How Does this Compare to Other, More Traditional Sports?
Digital Commons
Physical inactivity increases the risk of death by 20-30% compared to physically active individuals.1 Worldwide, 80% of adolescents are not physically active enough, and with the rise in childhood obesity, the problem cannot be addressed too soon.2,3 Any activity that keeps children active is one that they should keep doing, but there are more efficient and beneficial ways of participating and getting the most out of the activity that children and adolescents do.3,4 The lasting and far reaching effects of physical activity includes the physical health, social functioning, mental health, activity levels and overall quality of life that an individual can have.4,5
There are more than 100 styles of martial arts worldwide, with the most popular being Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and Mixed Martial Arts.6 Taekwondo alone is practiced by more than 30 million people worldwide.6 In the United States alone, martial arts boasts a participation of more than 6.5 million children.7 Martial arts falls into a category known as combat sports, which means that it is a competitive contact sport between individuals following a set of rules to simulate real fighting.6 To understand the full reach of the martial arts umbrella, see Appendix 1 for a visual that breaks down the types of martial arts based on location of origin and style of fighting; pay particular attention to the most common styles of martial arts as previously mentioned, as those are the ones most studied. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the topic of martial arts as its benefits children and adolescents and to compare these benefits to the benefits of other, more traditional sports.
To start this review, the first area of focus is the physical benefits that martial arts offers. These include flexibility, strength, endurance, and power.6,8 The participation in combat sports also causes osteogenic changes, with significant bone growth and increased bone mineral density.9 Another area of focus is the social functioning and mental health benefits that participation in martial arts has to offer. Benefits in feelings of independence, self-control, and self-esteem are seen in addition to social benefits such as increased sociability, patience, good attitude, and increased discipline.8,10 Other findings regarding social functioning demonstrated that combat sports reduced aggression, violence, delinquency, and feelings of anxiety.8,12 The last area of focus is a further look into how martial arts compares to more traditional sports. To do this, variables such as retention rates, perceived benefits, value for money, mental health across sports, and pain and injury levels will be examined.7,11,12,13 This comparison also addresses the benefits of martial arts with regards to special populations, such as those with autism.14
With only one in three children physically active every day, it has become increasingly important to look at the types of activities that will help the child and adolescent grow into adulthood the most effectively to get the most benefits and do the least harm.2 The movement and sports of children and adolescents are important as the effects from such activities encompasses the development of the child into adolescence and adulthood, leaving a lasting impact on their overall health and quality of life.4 The purpose of this literature review is to do exactly that and explain martial arts as it benefits children and adolescents and how that compares to more traditional sports.
Students' Information
Rachel Bagdasarian - Exercise Science, Honors Minor, Graduate 2021