Motor and cognitive development: the role of karate

Abstract

Background: regular physical activity has an effect on biological responses in both muscles and organs that, in turn, alter the structure and functions of the brain. Therefore, this study aims at comparing motor (sprint, coordination ability and explosive legs strength skills) and cognitive abilities (working memory, attention, executive functioning) in children. Methods: 39 children with average chronological age of 9 years were divided in: Karatekas (n=19) and Sedentary (n=20) groups. Their abilities were measured by motor and cognitive tests. Motor skills were assessed through a battery composed by the 20 mt Sprint test, the Agility test and the Standing board jump Test. Cognitive profile was assessed by a battery of tests derived from BVN 5-11, "Batteria di Valutazione Neuropsicologica per l'Età Evolutiva": Visual discrimination test, Reaction time test, Forwards and Backwards Digit Span Tests, Corsi Block-Tapping test and Tower of London. Results: our results reveal significant differences between two groups (p < 0.05). Karate children show better speed times, explosive legs strength and coordination skills. They scored better on working memory, visual selective attention and executive functions. Conclusion: karate exercise training shows global benefits resulting in physiological and psychological gains in children.

Breaking barriers: using the Behavior Change Wheel to develop a tailored intervention to overcome workplace inhibitors to breaking up sitting time

“…From an operational standpoint, prolonged sitting at a desk is the type of sedentary behaviour typically observed in the office workplace. Seventy-three percent of the UK population aged 16-64 are currently in employment [4,5] with a large number of these workers in office-related jobs [6]. Studies have identified that the workplace contributes to the majority of excessive daily sitting time in officebased employees [7,8].…”

Differences between simple and choice reaction time among young karate athletes in relation to gender and level of training

“…Such findings indicate that the athletes who achieve a faster CRT are closer to high-level performance in competitions . A similar conclusion regarding karate athletes has been given by , while a completely different perspective on the importance of RT in karate has been introduced by results of comparison of coordination (Alesi et al, 2014). However, almost none of the studies addressing these issues deal with children of preadolescent and adolescent age.…”

“…С тим у вези, деца укључена у програм вежбања каратеа могла би остварити позитивне ефекте када је у питању развој когнитивних функција. Наиме, нека истраживања показују да карате поспешује развој когнитивних функција, укључујући и ВР, брзину обраде информација, радну меморију и визуелно-моторну координацију (Alesi et al, 2014). Међутим, студија које се баве овим проблемима код деце преадолесцентског и адолесцентског узраста, готово да нема.…”

Mind–Body Therapy for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…In another meta-analysis, pre-adolescent children were found to have increased executive function after one aerobic exercise session (effect size 0.540) [39]. One study investigating karate and its impact on motor and cognitive development showed that this particular martial arts form resulted in improved attention through the Tower of London test (effect size 0.88, p < 0.05) [40]. Martial arts teach children to practice self-control, concentration and meditation that may ultimately result in improvements of executive function.…”