Thanks to the entertainment industry Martial Arts has always has a bit of a ‘cool’ factor. The highly choreographed fight sequences and general movie magic has brought many children into a Martial Arts dojo, wanting to be the next Captain America or Batman or whomever (personally, the Yellow Power Ranger).
The benefits children receive from practicing Martial Arts have been well documented. These include improvements in coordination, confidence, self-esteem and greater control over their emotions and inhibitions, to name a few. This article will explore how and why these benefits occur and how it impacts another aspect of a child’s life that the big action set pieces tend to overshadow – personal growth.
Research has repeated shown that if a person (child or adult) enjoys what they are doing, they are more likely to continue practicing it even if they encounter challenges. According to Little and Wuensch (2015), enjoyment is determined by five factors – competence, skills development, challenge abilities, positive adult reactions, and excitement.
Martial Arts hits all these factors. To advance, students need to learn, practice, and master their syllabus techniques to achieve their next belt rank (skill development). When students grade (challenge abilities), parents and peers watch as they do so while instructors provide guidance and feedback throughout a student’s training (positive adult reaction).
When students are rewarded with new a belt, they also gain access to more advanced techniques, access to weaponry, a new coloured Gi or black pants (excitement). Children are also tasked with the responsibility of being role models to their peers who are of lower ranking belt (competence).
Martial Arts is an engaging and exciting form of exercise for children which also helps develop their neurological and physical abilities. Studies indicate that well-developed gross motor skills can be linked to higher levels of academic competence, particularly in reading, language, and mathematics. This may be due to use of the same brain structures which are the cerebellum and the pre-frontal cortex.
The cerebellum regulates motor function and coordinates voluntary movement such as speech and muscular activity. The pre-frontal cortex plays a role in complex behaviours such as decision making and personality development. It is possible that physical activity promotes intellectual function as they undergo the same underlying processes – structure, monitoring and planning. We crawl, we walk then we run. The same way we learn letters then words then sentences.
Gross motor skills can be broken down into two categories – locomotor skills and object control. The former relates to movement such as running, jumping, hopping etc. Granted, Martial Arts does not train students how to run correctly (there is a method to it) but certain techniques require children to jump and hop (e.g. jumping back thrust kick or the hopping push kick). Object control refers to the use of hands or feet to manipulate and/or project an object such as catching, throwing, striking, or kicking.
Obviously, Martial Arts includes punches and kicks, but it also utilises more refined object control through weapon work, locks, parries, and blocks. These actions help children develop strong hand and eye coordination as well as situational awareness.
These skills are not beneficial in a self-defence situation but also promotes decision making and critical thinking.
Children who practice martial arts should know when to use their strikes (stranger danger) and when to walk away (bullying). If unable to remove themselves from a bully, children will not only have the skills but the confidence to defend themselves and deflect incoming strikes.
Children who have strong motor skills are also more likely to have higher levels of cardiovascular fitness which increases the efficiency of the heart, lung, and blood vessels. This has long term health benefits such as regulating blood sugar, improves mood and brain function, and strengthening the immune system. Physically active children are also shown to participate more in active lifestyle as adults and are less likely to become overweight.
Well-developed gross motor skills also influence confidence and goal-oriented behaviours. Children who are confident in their physical abilities demonstrate more persistence in skill mastery. This plays an essential role in motivation to learn and engage. This promotes self-awareness and children who are committed to their teachings will actively pursue character growth through practice, discipline, personal example as well as the continued evaluation and adaptation of one’s self.
Research has shown children have greater levels of improvement when participating in exercises that have both a physical and mental component. This plays into how Martial Arts training is structured. Students are provided with a syllabus that requires consistent practice to be eligible for grading and belt promotion. The guidance, appropriate feedback, and positive influence that instructors provide also adds to children’s motivation.
Historically, Martial Arts provides an ethical framework that runs parallel to skills development and mental resilience. On average it takes four and half years to achieve a black belt, equivalent to a university degree. Each belt has its own challenges and factoring in everyday life and the odd curveball its throws us every now and then – to keep pushing and eventually achieving a black belt is quite the feat for an adult, let alone a child.
The journey is a difficult but rewarding one. Students are challenged physically and that exertion prompts children to push their limits. Progressing all the way to black belt also imparts a sense of accomplishment and understanding of the fundamental principle of personal growth. There is no serum or magic spell or one-off mega lesson that transforms you into a better version of yourself.
It is hard work and persistence.
The world is becoming a ‘one click away’ society and if that was not enough, obesity and sedentary lifestyles have been on the incline for some time now. It is more vital than ever for children to find a form of exercise that also stimulates brain function. Martial Arts has been shown to promote neurological performance, emotional resilience, and positive traits with physical activity. A winning scenario for anyone looking for a form of exercise with life-long benefits.
References
Martin, D. (2006). The psychosocial benefits of traditional martial arts training: What most instructors know but can’t articulate. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(7), 575-582.
Vertonghen, J. (2011). The analysis of contextual factors in youth martial arts practice. Vubpress, Brussel.
Diamond, A. (2012). Activities and programs that improve children’s executive functions. Current directions in psychological science, 21(5), 335-341.
Lloyd, M., Saunders, T. J., Bremer, E., & Tremblay, M. S. (2014). Long-term importance of fundamental motor skills: A 20-year follow-up study. Adapted physical activity quarterly, 31(1), 67-78.
Robinson, L. E. (2011). The relationship between perceived physical competence and fundamental motor skills in preschool children. Child: care, health and development, 37(4), 589-596.
van der Fels, I. M., te Wierike, S. C., Hartman, E., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., Smith, J., & Visscher, C. (2015). The relationship between motor skills and cognitive skills in 4–16 year old typically developing children: A systematic review. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 18(6), 697-703.
Westendorp, M., Hartman, E., Houwen, S., Smith, J., & Visscher, C. (2011). The relationship between gross motor skills and academic achievement in children with learning disabilities. Research in developmental disabilities, 32(6), 2773-2779.
Little, G. B., & Wuensch, K. (2015). Is the relationship between anxiety and creativity moderated by other emotional states. PSI CHI Journal of Psychological Research, 20(3), 143-150.
Binder, B. (2007). Psychosocial benefits of the martial arts: Myth or reality? A literature review. International Ryuku Karate Research Society’s Journal.
Vertonghen, J., & Theeboom, M. (2010). The social-psychological outcomes of martial arts practise among youth: A review. Journal of sports science & medicine, 9(4), 528.
