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Title [Martial Arts Globe] Keeping children and young people healthy by practicing martial arts
Keeping children and young people healthy by practicing martial arts Carlos Gutiérrez-García (Associate Professor, Department of Physical and Sport Education, Universidad de León, Spain) In 2015, UNESCO launched the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out 17 key goals to improve people’s lives and the sustainability of human development on our planet. Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” and includes targets such as reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promoting mental health and well-being. Can the practice of martial arts in children and adolescents contribute to the achievement of this sustainable development goal? The following lines summarize what relevant academic literature have to say about this. Physical fitness and motor development Regular martial arts training has been shown to improve physical fitness in terms of muscle strength, speed, endurance, flexibility and body composition. It also improves coordination, balance and motor skills as it involves a variety of simple and complex movements that constantly challenge the practitioner's abilities (Stamenković et al., 2022; Woodward, 2009). Because of the diversity of martial arts, each style can lead to specific developments, such as judo for improving grip strength and safe fall techniques or taekwondo to improve flexibility. In any case, martial arts training may be an excellent contributor for children and adolescents to meet the World Health Organization's recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (WHO, 2010). Psycho-social development Many traditional martial arts emphasize philosophies and ethical codes that promote values such as civility, humility, modesty, respect for oneself and others, self-control, responsibility or courage. Educational sport-oriented martial arts also enhance positive developments such as fair play, teamwork, inclusion or discipline. All these aspects make a positive contribution to the psycho-social development of young people (van der Kooi, 2020; Vertonghen & Theeboom, 2010). Scientific research has paid particular attention to the potential of martial arts to reduce anger, aggressiveness and aggression, but the overall results are still unclear due to the diversity of styles, contexts and programs in which these variables have been assessed. When programs emphasized ethical instruction and self-regulation, positive outcomes were more evident (Lafuente et al., 2021). Particular attention has also been paid to martial arts as a tool for preventing bullying, whether as an isolated intervention or integrated into wider intervention programs. Research consistently shows that martial arts reduce bullying, which is a clear call for schools to include martial arts education in their interventions to mitigate bullying behaviors (Zhou et al., 2025). Risks It is naive to believe that martial arts practice is an infallible means of improving the health and well-being of children and young people. Despite its benefits, it is not without its risks. At the physical level, the most apparent risks are injuries, ranging from minor contusions, sprains, and strains to more severe injuries such as fractures, joint dislocations, and concussions, particularly in contact-based sparring with competitive training and bouts. Despite rare, fatal injuries have also been reported. The risk of injury can be influenced by factors such as the type of martial art, the intensity and duration of training, the level of contact involved, and the use of protective equipment (Demorest et al., 2016; Koutures & Demorest, 2018). For example, research suggests that for participants younger than 18 years, the risk of injury may double with every two additional hours of training per week after the first three hours (Koutures & Demorest, 2018), drawing attention to the risks associated with overtraining. The risks associated with weight cycling and rapid weight loss lie somewhere between the physical and the psychosocial, which is characteristic of sports where weight is an important factor, as is the case in many martial arts (Franchini et al., 2012). The pressure to meet specific weight requirements for competition can lead, even in the young categories, to unhealthy weight management practices, including severe calorie restriction, dehydration, and the use of potentially harmful methods to lose weight quickly (Zhong et al., 2024). When repeated, these behaviors can lead to the development of chronic eating disorders and serious short-term and long-term health consequences, affecting physical and mental well-being (Stamenković et al., 2022). Potential risks of martial arts practice at a psychosocial level may include increased levels of aggression, although, as explained above, there is no clear evidence of this. It has been suggested that unhealthy attitudes towards aggressiveness and aggression may be promoted if training focuses solely on martial arts techniques without the associated ethical and moral framework. Some studies have even suggested that participation in martial arts may be associated with more aggressive behavior compared to individual sports (Xu et al., 2025). In addition, the emphasis on winning in competitive environments can potentially lead to increased stress and anxiety for some young participants (van der Kooi, 2020). Recommendations to provide a healthy martial arts practice To enhance the benefits and reduce the risks associated with martial arts practice in children and adolescents, Franchini (2021) recommends focusing on the following aspects: (1) Fun: Ensuring that kids are essentially involved with organized sports for enjoyment; (2) Skill-Challenge Balance: Providing opportunities for children to be adequately challenged in relation to their skill level; (3) Positive Reinforcement: Encouraging coaches to provide positive feedback and support; (4) Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Adapting activities and expectations to the developmental stage of the participants; (5) Safety: Prioritizing safety measures to minimize the risk of injuries; (6) Rules: Clearly establishing and consistently enforcing rules; (7) Ethical Conduct: Emphasizing fair play, respect, and good sportsmanship; (8) Qualified Coaches: Ensuring that instructors are knowledgeable, well-trained, and focused on the well-being of the participants. In addition, encouraging open communication and reflection before, during and after training sessions and competitions can help young practitioners process their experiences, manage emotions and reinforce the positive values taught through martial arts. This includes the transfer of knowledge, skills and attitudes learned during training to everyday life, which is not only in line with the philosophical principles of martial arts, but also with UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goal 3. References Demorest, R. A., Koutures, C., & Council on Sports Medicina and Fitness. (2016). Youth Participation and Injury Risk in Martial Arts. Pediatrics, 138(6). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-3022 Franchini, E. (2021). Providing youth-friendly martial arts training: brief recommendations. ICM Insight, 4, 18-25. Franchini, E., José, B. C., & and Artioli, G. G. (2012). Weight loss in combat sports: physiological, psychological and performance effects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-52 Koutures, C., & Demorest, R. A. (2018). Participation and Injury in Martial Arts. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 17(12). https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000539 Lafuente, J., Zubiaur, M., & Gutiérrez-García, C. (2021). Effects of martial arts and combat sports training on anger and aggression: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 58, 101611. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2021.101611 Stamenković, A., Manić, M., Roklicer, R., Trivić, T., Malović, P., & Drid, P. (2022). Effects of Participating in Martial Arts in Children: A Systematic Review. 9(8), 1203. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/8/1203 van der Kooi, M. (2020). Developmental outcomes and meanings in martial arts practice among youth: a review. European Journal for Sport and Society, 17(2), 96-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2020.1737421 Vertonghen, J., & Theeboom, M. (2010). The social-psychological outcomes of martial arts practise among youth: A review. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9(4), 528-537. WHO. (2010). Global recomendations on physical activity for health. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241599979 Woodward, T. W. (2009). A review of the effects of martial arts practice on health. Wisconsin Medical Journal, 108(1), 40-43. Xu, T., Li, H., Rao, G., & Wang, F. (2025). Exploring the impact of traditional Chinese martial arts and other martial arts on adolescent aggression: a comparative analysis of underlying mechanisms. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 352. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02657-5 Zhong, Y., Song, Y., Artioli, G. G., Gee, T. I., French, D. N., Zheng, H., . . . Li, Y. (2024). The Practice of Weight Loss in Combat Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 16(7), 1050. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16071050 Zhou, Z., Saibon, J. B., & Khairani, A. Z. (2025). Sport-based interventions to mitigate bullying behaviors among children and adolescents: A systematic review. Heliyon, 11(9), e43307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43307 ※ Views expressed in this article are those of the author |
