Martial arts, executive functions, and academic performance

A recent study (2021) conducted in Italy that examined 102 children with an average age of 12 years old found that children practicing martial arts scored better on tests measuring executive functions and academic performance than did children who participated in team sports or who were sedentary. Executive functions “enable us to understand complex or abstract concepts, solve problems we never encountered before, plan our next vacation, and manage our relationships,” while academic performance can be a predictor of future success.

The report included children involved in martial arts or team sports three times per week for the two years prior to the study, whereas sedentary children did not participate in any sport for the same two-year period.

Study outcomes

In short, kids who practiced martial arts scored significantly better than their counterparts of the same age who participated in team sports or were sedentary in the following areas:

• Executive functions

  • “Inhibition,” or ability to practice self-control and resist temptation

  • “Working memory,” or the ability to hold information in one’s mind and mentally work with it

  • “Distributed attention,” or the ability to process the “big picture” by identifying large-scale patterns rather than focusing on individual objects

  • “Decision-making tasks” simulated using rewards and punishments from real-life situations

  • “Verbal fluency,” or the ability to express speech fluently

• Academic performance

  • Linguistic (language), as measured by final grades in school

  • Mathematical proficiency, as measured by final grades in school

What is it about martial arts that is so beneficial for kids?

Martial arts focus on personal growth. Martial arts focus on many aspects related to personal growth that are generally not a component of team sports or, especially, when a child is sedentary. For example, memorizing forms (also known as kata or poomsae), which are routines involving important skills related to the particular discipline, requires focus, practice, and an ability to critically think through the correct execution of each movement in time and space. This improves attention and focus.

Martial arts require complicated thought processes. Both sparring and memorizing forms require planning, engaging an opponent (whether in real-life during sparring or in the mind while practicing forms), and executing moves simultaneously according to the desired outcome, all of which lead to increased executive function. This is a natural consequence of dedicated practice and self-discipline that is central to martial arts.

Martial arts develop muscle memory. This allows the brain to retrieve and execute actions with very little conscious thought. This is a skill that can be transferred to other areas of a child’s life, including school and other academic pursuits.

Martial arts increase neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to adapt and can be enhanced by practicing martial arts. Young brains are particularly malleable, which is an important part of development and learning as a child matures. Therefore, engaging in activities that enhance this natural trait of young brains takes advantage of this innate “window of opportunity” that is observed in children.

One last thing…

The benefits of practicing the martial arts at any age are well-documented, but for kids especially, none of that is helpful if they refuse to participate. This brings me to one final aspect of martial arts that is central to its success in encouraging proper development in children—that is—it’s fun! Participating in a gym that upholds the foundations of martial arts can lead to a lifelong endeavor your kids will enjoy today as well as at 50!