Effects of Taekwondo training on executive functions of primary school-aged children with traits of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Emerging studies have proposed promising effects of physical exercise on symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and executive function (EF). The present preliminary study identified impacts of 12-week community-based traditional taekwondo (TKD), and role of medication on TKD, in affecting attention and three core EFs (inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility) of ADHD children. A total of 26 ADHD and 14 typically developing (TD) children (age 7-10, with low socioeconomic status) were recruited in experimental group (ADHD-TKD) and control groups (ADHD-control and TD-TKD) to conduct a pre-post intervention assessment by using Stroop Color and Word Test, Number Span Test, Contingency Naming Test, Chinese version of Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-behavior, and shortlisted Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Results highlighted positive effects of TKD on teacher- and parent-rated attention on ADHD children (particularly boys) and parent-rated inhibition on TD children. Medication also acted as moderator to influence TKD’s effectiveness on participants’ attention. These brought important implications for researchers in future studies and for practitioners to apply TKD to ADHD children (especially boy) and TD children (with weak inhibitory control) for observational attention and inhibition behaviors respectively, and ADHD children with mild symptoms for attention and possibly medication replacement.