Abstract
The current study assessed whether an extended program of martial arts training was a viable intervention for at-risk youths in improving cognitive and psychological functions. Adolescent boys attending specialized education facilities for at-risk youths took part in regular sport lessons or martial arts practice twice a week for 6 months. Hormonal reactivity was assessed during initial training, and measures of psychological (aggression, self-esteem) and cognitive (inhibition, flexibility, speed of processing, and attention) functions were assessed before and immediately following the intervention. Participants in the martial arts training demonstrated significant improvement in the domains of inhibition and shifting and speed of processing. Additionally, initial hormonal reactivity (oxytocin and cortisol) to the intervention predicted significant post-intervention change on several measures of cognitive and psychological functioning. Specifically, oxytocin reactivity predicted improvement in processing speed, as well as reduction of aggression, whereas cortisol reactivity predicted increases in self-esteem. This pioneering, ecologically valid study demonstrates the initial efficacy of this enjoyable, readily available, group intervention for at-risk boys and suggests potential mechanisms that may mediate the process of change.
Highlights
A substantial body of literature suggests that a failure to complete education at a normative school setting is associated with important problematic behaviors in youths
While aggressive behaviors are the most widely studied effects of martial arts, recent studies suggest that martial arts may improve cognitive function, primarily executive functions [13, 14], which have been repeatedly associated with delinquency, criminality, and at-risk youths [15]
Given the predominantly positive effects of martial arts on behavioral and cognitive outcomes it was predicted that martial arts would improve aggression, cognitive and self-esteem measures, even in at-risk youths, but that these may be impacted by initial hormonal response
Summary
A substantial body of literature suggests that a failure to complete education at a normative school setting is associated with important problematic behaviors in youths. Common to all the recently reviewed studies demonstrating reductions in externalizing behaviors following martial arts practice were the capitalization of training on complex, repetitive movements, self-controlled behavior, and interpersonal respect [8] These are all plausible explanations for the suggestion that martial arts practice reduces aggression, they have little empirical backing, and no studies have evaluated potential pathways of change. While aggressive behaviors are the most widely studied effects of martial arts, recent studies suggest that martial arts may improve cognitive function, primarily executive functions [13, 14], which have been repeatedly associated with delinquency, criminality, and at-risk youths [15]. Given the predominantly positive effects of martial arts on behavioral and cognitive outcomes it was predicted that martial arts would improve aggression, cognitive and self-esteem measures, even in at-risk youths, but that these may be impacted by initial hormonal response
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