The Impacts of Taekwondo on Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Session Number
Project ID: IND ST 01
Advisor(s)
Steve Goldblatt; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Independent Study
Start Date
19-4-2023 9:05 AM
End Date
19-4-2023 9:20 AM
Abstract
The impacts of general exercise and sports on mental health is emerging as a significant research front, with more than 34 studies from over 10 countries concluding positive behavioral health outcomes as a result of team sports and about 74% of sports-related studies demonstrating an improvement in psychological health in participants who engaged in athletic activities (Zuckerman et al., 2020). Cumulative evidence suggests that martial arts education has steadily improved fine and gross motor skills in children and teens with Developmental Coordination Disorder, and contributed to better balance in those on the Autism Spectrum. The purpose of this project was to determine if taekwondo, a popular traditional form of Korean martial arts, is also effective in alleviating psychosocial symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and to find general trends of such impacts on neurodiverse children practicing taekwondo across the United States. To this end, a thorough literature review was conducted on the growing body of research surrounding the therapeutic elements of martial arts for athletes with developmental disabilities, followed by a general survey study, collecting qualitative data and input from taekwondo masters and instructors from over 23 US states. A significant majority of taekwondo centers who are inclusive of students with ASD have reported a higher retention of focus, decrease in anxiety, and increased self-confidence and sociability in their students as a result of taekwondo training. The results from this study can not only suggest that taekwondo can be an effective form of recreational therapy for children with ASD, but further advocate for more inclusive martial arts special-education programs across the country.
The Impacts of Taekwondo on Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The impacts of general exercise and sports on mental health is emerging as a significant research front, with more than 34 studies from over 10 countries concluding positive behavioral health outcomes as a result of team sports and about 74% of sports-related studies demonstrating an improvement in psychological health in participants who engaged in athletic activities (Zuckerman et al., 2020). Cumulative evidence suggests that martial arts education has steadily improved fine and gross motor skills in children and teens with Developmental Coordination Disorder, and contributed to better balance in those on the Autism Spectrum. The purpose of this project was to determine if taekwondo, a popular traditional form of Korean martial arts, is also effective in alleviating psychosocial symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and to find general trends of such impacts on neurodiverse children practicing taekwondo across the United States. To this end, a thorough literature review was conducted on the growing body of research surrounding the therapeutic elements of martial arts for athletes with developmental disabilities, followed by a general survey study, collecting qualitative data and input from taekwondo masters and instructors from over 23 US states. A significant majority of taekwondo centers who are inclusive of students with ASD have reported a higher retention of focus, decrease in anxiety, and increased self-confidence and sociability in their students as a result of taekwondo training. The results from this study can not only suggest that taekwondo can be an effective form of recreational therapy for children with ASD, but further advocate for more inclusive martial arts special-education programs across the country.