Your browser does not support the PubReader view.
Go to this page to see a list of supporting browsers.
국제무예학회 학술지영문홈페이지
[ Article ]
International Journal of Martial Arts - Vol. 5, pp.1-17
ISSN: 2287-8599 (Online)
Online publication date 31 Jul 2019
Received 29 Dec 2018 Accepted 30 Jun 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51222/injoma.2019.12.5.1

The Contributions of Martial Art Training and Other Physical Activities to Health Status: Data from the ECLS-K Survey

R. Eric Westona
aDepartment of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, City University, New York

Abstract

Objective

Physical activity is an effective strategy to combat the negative health impacts of sedentary lifestyles. Martial Arts Training (MAT), a vigorous form of physical activity, offers an approach to achieving positive physical health. The goal of this study was to identify the prevalence of MAT among youths aged 5 to 13 and the relative contribution of MAT to the physical health of these youth in comparison to other determinants, (i.e., physical activities, race, and socioeconomic status).

Methods

Data for this analysis were taken from 22,782 participants in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K), a nationally representative, longitudinal investigation of child development, school readiness, and early school experiences in the United States. The current investigation used an OLS regression strategy to evaluate parental report of their children’s physical health.

Results

The results indicated that MAT participation rated seventh of eight identified physical activities. The OLS regression analysis indicated that, controlling for all other variables in the regression model, physical activity, socioeconomic status (SES) and attending a Catholic school accounted for a significant increase in physical health. Conversely, racial/ethnic identification as Black, Latinx, or Asian/Pacific Islander significantly decreased reported physical health compared to their White counterparts. No significant relationship emerged between MAT and physical health.

Conclusion

The results were evaluated in the context of the limited scope of the survey question regarding MAT, type of alternate physical activity, and site of physical activity. Finally, suggestions are offered for future investigations into the contributions of MAT to physical health.

Keywords:

Health disparities, Martial Arts, Physical activity, Socioeconomic status

References

  • Barnett, J. E., & Shale, A. J. (2013A). Alternative Techniques. Monitor on Psychology, 44(4), 48. [https://doi.org/10.1037/e527842013-020]
  • Barnett, J. E., & Shale, A. J. (2013B). The Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Into the Practice of Psychology: A Vision for the Future. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(6), 576–585. [https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028919]
  • Beasley, J. (2018). A Short History of Martial Arts as a Business. BLACK BELT April/May, 56(3), 76 -77.
  • Beaulieu, L, Butterfield, S. A., Mason, C. A., & Loovis, E. M. (2012). Physical Activity and U.S. Public Elementary Schools: Implications for our Profession. Journal of Research. Journal of Research in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance, 7(1), 12-16.
  • Bell, C. C. (2008). Asian Martial Arts and Resiliency. Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 1(2), 11-17. [https://doi.org/10.1108/17570980200800016]
  • Breslow, L. (2006). Commentary: Health Measurement in the Third Era of Health. American Journal of Public Health, 96(1), 17-19. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2004.055970 [https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2004.055970]
  • Brudnak, M. A., Dundero, D., &Van Hecke, F. M. (2002). Are the ‘hard’ martial arts, such as the Korean martial art, TaeKwon-Do, of benefit to senior citizens? Medical Hypotheses, 59(4), 485-491. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9877(02)00203-7]
  • Caldwel, K. L., Harrison, M., Adams, M., & Triplett, N. T. (2009). Effect Of Pilates And Taiji Quan Training On Self-Efficacy, Sleep Quality, Mood, And Physical Performance Of College Students. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(2), 155-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.12.001. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.12.001]
  • Callinan, L. S., Holman, R. C., Esposito, D. H., & McDonald, M. (2013). Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Infectious Disease Hospitalizations in Arizona. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 6(2), 49-71.
  • Callaghan, P. (2004). Exercise: a neglected intervention in mental health care? Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 11(4), 476-483. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2004.00751.x]
  • Dittmann, M. (2004). Alternative Health Care Gains Steam. Monitor on Psychology, 35(6), 42. [https://doi.org/10.1037/e373572004-028]
  • Dougherty, N. (2001). 5 Reasons Your Students Will Quit. Black Belt, 49(5), 94.
  • Gerberding, J. L., & Marks, J. S. (2004). Making America Fit and Trim – Steps Big and Small. American Journal of Public Health, 94(9),1478-1479. [https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.94.9.1478]
  • Hoelscher. D. M., Barros. C., Springer, A., Castrucci, B., & Keider, S. H. (2009). Prevalence of Self-Reported Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Among 4th-, 8th-, and 11th-Grade Texas Public School Children: The School Physical Activity and Nutrition Study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6, 535-547. [https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.6.5.535]
  • Hyams, J. (1979) Zen in the Martial Arts. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
  • Isaac, L. A., (2013) Defining Health and Health Care Disparities and Examining Disparities Across the Life Span. In T. A LaVeist, L. A. Isaac, (Eds). Race, Ethnicity, and Health: A Public Health Reader 2nd Edition. pp. 11- 34. Jossey- Bass: San Francisco.
  • Katzmarzyk, P. T., Denstel, Kara D., Beals, K., Bolling, C., Wright, C., Crouter, S. E., McKenzie, T. L., Pate, R. R., Saelens, B. E., Staiano, A. E., Stanish, H. I., & Sisson, S. B. (2016). Results From the United States of America’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Journal of Physical Activity and Health13 (Suppl 2), S307 -S313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2016-0321. [https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2016-0321]
  • Larkey, L., Jahnke, R., Etnier, J., & Gonzalez. J., (2009). Meditative Movement as a Category of Exercise: Implications for Research. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6(2), 230-238. [https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.6.2.230]
  • LaVeist, T. A., & Isaac, L .A. (2013). Race, Ethnicity, and Health: A Public Health Reader 2nd Edition. Jossey- Bass: San Francisco.
  • LaVeist, T. A. (2005). Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United States. Jossey- Bass: San Francisco.
  • Lowry, D. (2004). So You Want To Quit? Black Belt, 42(6), 36-38.
  • Marlatt, G. A. (2002). Buddhist Philosophy and the Treatment of Addictive Behavior. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 9(1), 44-50.
  • Marlatt, G. A., & Gordon, J. R. (1985). Relapse Prevention: Maintenance Strategies in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors. Guilford Press: New York.
  • Mask-Jackson, M. (2007). Race, Stress, and Social Support: Addressing the Crisis in Black Infant Mortality. Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute Washington, D.C.
  • Nardi, T. J. (1983). Burnout: How long will you last in the Martial Arts. Karate Illustrated, 14(5), 48-49, 76-77.
  • Novotney, A. (2009). Yoga as a Practice Tool. Monitor on Psychology, 40(10), 38. https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2andlvlid=26, . Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, 4(1), 45-57.
  • Office of Minority Health. (2016). Minority Populations Profiles. Retrieved from June, 1, 2018 from https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=26
  • Paul, J. (2011). Teaching Aikido to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 20(4), 36-51.
  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008). Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved on February 26 2011 from https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-guidelines-foramericans/index.html, .
  • Ratcliffe, C., & McKernan, S. (2010). Childhood Poverty Persistence: Facts and Consequences. Urban Health Institute.
  • Rosenberg, V., & Sapochnik, C. (2003). Martial Arts – Enactment of Aggression or Integrative Space. Open Space. https://doi:10.1080/14753630500385681, .
  • Southeron, D., & Reisman, T. (1990). White Belt Flight: Four Reasons Why Students Drop Out. Black Belt, 28(1), 74-76.
  • Statista. (2018). Number of participants in Martial Arts in the United States from 2006 to 2017 (in millions). Retrieved on September 23 2018 from https://www.statista.com/statistics/191917/participants-in-martial-arts-in-the-ussince-2006/, .
  • Stranderg, K. W. (1984). Martial Arts Dropout: Where Have All The Students Gone. Karate Illustrated, 15(12), 44-47.
  • Strayhorn, J. M., & Strayhorn, J. C. (2009). Martial Arts as A Mental Health Intervention for Children? Evidence from the ECLS-K. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. Retrieved on February 26 2011 from http://www.capmh.com/content/3/1/32, .
  • Thorpe, L. E., List, D. G., Marx, D., May, L., Helgerson, S. D., & Friden, T. R. (2004). Childhood Obesity in New York City Elementary School Students. American Journal of Public Health, 94(9), 1496 -1500.
  • Toskic, D., Lilicl, L., & Toskic, L. (2014). The Influence Of A Year-Long Judo Training Program On The Development Of The Motor Skills Of Children. Activities in Physical Education and Sport, 4(1), 55-58. Retrieved on June 16, 2017 from http://fsprm.mk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pages-from-APES-1-2014.-za-Sajtot-14.pdf, .
  • Ward, A., Johnson, P.J., & O’Brien, M., (2013). The Normative Dimensions of Health Disparities. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 6(1), 46-61.
  • Weiser, M., Kutz, I., Kutz, S., & Weiser. D. (1995). Psychotherapeutic Aspects of the Martial Arts. The American Journal of Psychotherapy, 49(1), 118-127.
  • Wilson, D. K., Van Horn, M. L., Kitzman-Ulrich, H., Saunders, R., Pate, R., Lawman, H. G., Hutto, B., Griffin, S., Zarrett, N., Addy, C., Mansard, L., Mixon, G., & Brown, O. V. (2011). Results of the ‘Active by Choice Today’ (ACT) Randomized Trial for Increasing Physical Activity in Low-Income and Minority Adolescents. Health Psychology, 30(4), 463-471.
  • Woodward, T. W. (2009). A Review of the Effects of Martial arts Practice on Health. Wisconsin Medical Journal, 108(1), 40-43.