Martial Arts Research: Weak Evidence—Response

Abstract

We agree with Strayhorn and Strayhorn that modern and traditional versions of martial arts differ. We tried to emphasize that modern American martial arts (which emphasize “punching and kicking” and competition) have been found to make unproductive behaviors worse, whereas evidence indicates that traditional martial arts [which emphasize self-control, self-defense, patience, waiting for the other person to make an error, concentration, respect, and humility ([ 1 ][1])] improve executive functions. We agree with Mercer about weaknesses in many studies thus far published on executive function interventions. We reviewed only peer-reviewed studies and provided detailed information about them (see tables S1 to S3 in the supporting online material) to give readers an opportunity to judge the evidence for themselves. We disagree with Mercer about the martial arts study being particularly weak. First studies are designed to determine whether there is an overall difference. Follow-up studies can then try to dissect which aspect(s) of a program had the most effect. That said, the martial arts study by Lakes and Hoyt ([ 1 ][1]) is to be commended. It used random assignment, pre- and post-testing, an intervention implemented during regular school hours (making it feasible to reach many children), an active control group that also engaged in physical activity, and incrementally increasing levels of difficulty in the martial arts condition, and it provided evidence that executive-function improvements generalized to multiple contexts. Unlike many studies that have targeted disadvantaged children and/or those behind on executive function, children in this study were socioeconomically advantaged, making the findings especially impressive. 1. [↵][2] 1. K. D. Lakes, 2. W. T. Hoyt , Appl. Dev. Psychol. 25, 283 (2004). [OpenUrl][3][CrossRef][4] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [3]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAppl.%2BDev.%2BPsychol.%26rft.volume%253D25%26rft.spage%253D283%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.appdev.2004.04.002%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.appdev.2004.04.002&link_type=DOI