Help Your Child Improve Self Control Through Martial Arts

Parents of young martial artists frequently report better behavior, improved academic performance, higher self-esteem and confidence and higher aspirations amongst their children. The physical demands of martial arts give children and parents tools into which hyperactivity can be channeled. Martial Arts provide a form of exercise, which tires the body. If a child is bouncing off the wall, a parent can encourage him/her to practice techniques by throwing punches, kicks, blocks or simply by doing pushups or sit-ups.  
 

Martial Arts: An Alternative Treatment for ADHD

Between 3 and 5 percent of American children today are diagnosed with Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (hereinafter referred as “AD/HD”).  Most of the current treatments for children diagnosed with this disorder is an aggressive drug therapy. Due to the unknown adverse effects of this therapy, parent and physicians have sought alternative treatments such as changes in the child’s diet and activities that center on behavior modification.  Not until a recent study conducted by Dr. Matthew Morand, a psychologist in Long Beach, New York, did the linkage between the practice of martial arts and AD/HD confirm the activity as an alternative therapy. Dr. Morand presented a study in the spring of 2004 for his doctor of psychology dissertation at Hofstra University in New York. This study was published by the University and can be found at www.tsk.com/promotions/adhd/interview.com.The 12-week study found that martial arts showed greater success as treatment for AD/HD children more than other forms of group exercise. Dr. Morand further found that martial arts improved academic performance, focus, concentration and decreased aggressive behaviors in children. 

As a martial arts instructor for over 30 years, I have personally observed the positive impact of martial arts on AD/HD children. Many of these children have tried other sports; especially team sports, and were unable to concentrate long enough to succeed as a team player. Many of these children sit the bench, which further decreases their self-esteem and confidence. Many of these children struggle academically further exacerbating their confidence and ability to participate in social activities with their peers.

 How can Martial Arts help?Martial Arts has a long history of discipline and focuses on working to reduce a student’s aggression. Students have shown that martial arts can provide a positive outlet for their excessive energy, working to change the AD/HD behavior from destructive to a creative/positive one. The core of martial arts training works on the basic traits of AD/HD symptoms:  Impulsivity
Distractibility
Hyperactivity 

Parents of young martial artists frequently report better behavior, improved academic performance, higher self-esteem and confidence and higher aspirations amongst their children. The physical demands of martial arts give children and parents tools into which hyperactivity can be channeled. Martial Arts provide a form of exercise, which tires the body. If a child is bouncing off the wall, a parent can encourage him/her to practice a form, work on his/her techniques by throwing punches, kicks, blocks or simply by doing pushups or sit-ups.

Another benefit of martial arts training is that it teaches relaxation techniques through stretching and breathing exercises. This teaches the AD/HD child self discipline of focusing his/her mind and achieving self control through a quiet state.

Martial Arts is an excellent activity in decreasing the “D”, distractibility, symptom of AD/HD. This symptom can be addressed in the classroom through education of a variety of techniques, exercises and skills which a child is exposed to in one martial arts class. The tasks or skill is changed often and quickly in a martial arts class. The AD/HD child only needs to concentrate on 1 task for a short period of time. Throughout an hour long class, the child is exposed to a variety of repetitive tasks which maintains the child’s interest and keeps him/her from being easily distracted. The child is taught to develop powers of concentration and focus in short bursts that are manageable. The child then learns the curriculum more successfully and is rewarded more quickly and often. This quick reward system is the positive reinforcement an AD/HD child rarely experiences in other activities.

The hierarchy and structure of the martial arts curriculum at American Karate Institute, works to channel more positive focussed behavior and offsets short attention spans and frustration. Students progress through a graded series of small steps to learn a complex skill. In our children’s curriculum, the requirements for rank are broken down into small, attainable goals with positive reinforcement at each level of accomplishment. (Stripes and rank promotion) This challenges each student, especially the children with AD/HD, to stay on task, to complete the goal, and rewards the focus and concentration necessary to learn the skill necessary to achieve the goal. The student learns at his/her own pace and children are individually challenged to their physical and mental ability.

In martial arts, no child sits the bench. This is extremely important for some AD/HD children who lack the necessary attention, focus and concentration to participate in team sports.  As a student’s concentration improves, so does their self-control, which is a fundamental challenge for AD/HD children. In martial arts, children learn to control their physical bodies through the physical curriculum of punching, kicking, and blocking. They also learn to control their mental abilities by working with partners during sparring and self defense classes. They learn that they cannot defend themselves adequately when they are angry and out of control. They must learn how to control their anger and emotions so they can clearly assess their situation and control their environment to resolve conflict in a non-violent way. Our students are taught to set verbal boundaries and are given strategies to avoid conflict peacefully. They are to only use their physical technique as a last resort.

Finally, martial arts can benefit an AD/HD child because they are taught that the real challenge of martial arts is dealing with your inner self. Learning how to become a better person, treating others with respect and learning how to become an example to others are internal attributes developed through martial arts training. Our students are rewarded with stripes and belts when they do the right thing or make a difference in someone else’s life at home or at school.

Throughout my 30 years as a martial arts instructor, I have personally observed the benefits of  martial arts training on AD/HD students. While some of these children whom I’ve encountered appear to need medication, some children with less severe symptoms have been able to eliminate or reduce their medication in consult with their physician. Many of the parents of children I have taught with AD/HD, have found significant improvements in their child’s behavior, attitude and academic performance. Each case is different. The decision rests with the parent and the child’s physician. However the many benefits of martial arts for both children with and without AD/HD are well known and should be recognized as a safer alternative form of treatment.

Resources:

Morand, Dr. Anthony. (2004) The Effects of Martial Arts on the Behavior of Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Hofstra University

Thompson, Anna. (1996) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Parent’s Perspective. Phi Delta Kappan 77(6), 433-443.

National  Institute of Mental Health.  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  www.nimh.hih.gov

Vockell, Edward L. & Kwak, Han S. (1990) Martial Arts in the Classroom.
Clearing House. 64(1), 61-63. 

Mixed Martial Arts