Dr. Matthew K. Morand completed a study for his dissertation for his Doctor of Psychology degree on this topic at Hofstra University in New York. The findings of the study were published in 2004. During the study, teachers completed a behavior checklist for two groups of children, both of which had ADHD. One group participated in a martial arts program during the 12 week program, the other group did not. According to the study, the children with ADHD:

According to Dr. Morand, martial arts differs from other forms of physical activities because "there is a systematic influence of meditation, rhythmic breathing, and relaxation.

This amounts to self-hypnosis; adherence to etiquette; constant group reinforcement; mutual help and criticism; and a sense of group cohesion with shared goals and ideology."

It´s easy to see what traits are amplified with children. Concentration, discipline, focus and daily performance results.

Martial Arts makes your brain bigger, literally. Researchers at the University of South Florida and Fudan University in China found Tai Chi increases brain volume in seniors who practiced Tai Chi three times a week for 40 weeks. The study’s results are pretty impressive, since gray matter usually shrinks with age. A study at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness found similar results in even less time. Their researchers saw increases in gray matter in the hippocampus (the brain region associated with learning and memory) after an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program.

Martial Arts keeps you on your toes, figuratively. Just as physical exercise keeps a body fit, the mental concentration required for Tai Chi exercises the brain. The martial art form trains your brain to help you retain more information, stay focused on the task at hand, and make quicker decisions (not snap decisions). A small study from Massachusetts General Hospital found people who meditated 40 minutes a day had thicker cortical walls compared to people who didn’t meditate.

Research has found that both Tai Chi and meditation have a powerful effect on the mind, cultivating a stillness that serves to increase focus, reduce stress, and boost cognitive skills. What I’ve found (in myself, and in my students).

THE CONCLUSION IS EASY AND SIMPLE:

Regardless if we´re talking about children or seniors, it´s obvious that martial arts has a groundbreaking effect on both our brain functions and abilities to focus, concentrate and get better results from life. Naturally this counts for working adults as well, who lack physical activity and thus boosted brain function which in turn will yield better and higher results in any line of work. As well as in daily life.

Martial Arts differ from other physical activities in their effect on ADHD children as there is a systematic influence of meditation, rhythmic breathing, and relaxation amounting to self-hypnosis; adherence to etiquette; constant group reinforcement; mutual help and criticism; and a sense of group cohesion with shared goals and ideology.

It has been found that ADHD children who engage in martial arts as opposed to exercise improve in these areas (Konzak & Boudreau, 1984). Konzak & Boudreau suggest that martial arts is a socialization process in that appropriate training can become a socialization agent and a therapeutic activity. The difference between martial arts and other exercise is further elaborated by discussing James and Jones’ 1982 field study.

In this study, the novice martial artist acquired a new social identity, learned appropriate role behavior, and conformed to the expectations of the group to which he aspired through a process of interactions. New physical skills, values and beliefs are fostered as the beginner’s class follows a regimented schedule of instruction, modeling, imitation, positive reinforcement, and observation (Fuller, 1988).