Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects
Objectives. The study aimed to explore the cognitive, behavioral, and potential epigenetic effects of martial arts-based interventions in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Materials and methods. A narrative review was conducted, synthesizing findings from eleven peer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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OVS LLC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Physical Education Theory and Methodology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3360 |
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| author | Carola Costanza Francesco Paolo Colecchia Rita Polito Marcellino Monda Marco Carotenuto Giovanni Messina Antonietta Monda Nicola Mancini Fiorenzo Moscatelli Giuditta Bargiacchi Maria Ruberto |
| author_facet | Carola Costanza Francesco Paolo Colecchia Rita Polito Marcellino Monda Marco Carotenuto Giovanni Messina Antonietta Monda Nicola Mancini Fiorenzo Moscatelli Giuditta Bargiacchi Maria Ruberto |
| author_sort | Carola Costanza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives. The study aimed to explore the cognitive, behavioral, and potential epigenetic effects of martial arts-based interventions in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Materials and methods. A narrative review was conducted, synthesizing findings from eleven peer-reviewed studies examining martial arts practices — such as taekwondo, judo, karate, kung fu, qigong, and tai chi — in populations diagnosed with ADHD. The focus was placed on executive functions, emotional regulation, and neurobiological mechanisms. Additional literature on physical activity and epigenetic regulation was reviewed to contextualize emerging biological hypotheses.
Results. The findings indicate that martial arts interventions were associated with improvements in attention, working memory, and inhibitory control, particularly in structured disciplines such as judo and taekwondo. Some studies have also reported emotional and behavioral benefits, including reduced impulsivity and improved self-regulation. Although direct epigenetic evidence is lacking, indirect data suggest that physical activity may influence gene expression via mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications.
Conclusions. Martial arts may support cognitive and behavioral development in individuals with ADHD. Their structured, multimodal nature positions these training practices as promising tools to promote attention and executive functioning. Further research is encouraged to include longitudinal epigenetic profiling to clarify underlying biological mechanisms.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec2123697c5f4b3fbc56a49e983f249c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1993-7989 1993-7997 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | OVS LLC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Education Theory and Methodology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec2123697c5f4b3fbc56a49e983f249c2025-08-20T03:21:47ZengOVS LLCPhysical Education Theory and Methodology1993-79891993-79972025-05-0125310.17309/tmfv.2025.3.26Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic EffectsCarola Costanza0Francesco Paolo Colecchia1Rita Polito2Marcellino Monda3Marco Carotenuto4Giovanni Messina5Antonietta Monda6Nicola Mancini7Fiorenzo Moscatelli8Giuditta Bargiacchi9Maria Ruberto10University of PalermoUniversity of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"Pegaso Telematic UniversityUniversity of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"San Raffaele Telematic UniversityPegaso Telematic UniversityPegaso Telematic UniversityUniversity of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Pegaso Telematic UniversityObjectives. The study aimed to explore the cognitive, behavioral, and potential epigenetic effects of martial arts-based interventions in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Materials and methods. A narrative review was conducted, synthesizing findings from eleven peer-reviewed studies examining martial arts practices — such as taekwondo, judo, karate, kung fu, qigong, and tai chi — in populations diagnosed with ADHD. The focus was placed on executive functions, emotional regulation, and neurobiological mechanisms. Additional literature on physical activity and epigenetic regulation was reviewed to contextualize emerging biological hypotheses. Results. The findings indicate that martial arts interventions were associated with improvements in attention, working memory, and inhibitory control, particularly in structured disciplines such as judo and taekwondo. Some studies have also reported emotional and behavioral benefits, including reduced impulsivity and improved self-regulation. Although direct epigenetic evidence is lacking, indirect data suggest that physical activity may influence gene expression via mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications. Conclusions. Martial arts may support cognitive and behavioral development in individuals with ADHD. Their structured, multimodal nature positions these training practices as promising tools to promote attention and executive functioning. Further research is encouraged to include longitudinal epigenetic profiling to clarify underlying biological mechanisms. https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3360ADHDmartial artsexecutive functionbehavioral regulationepigenetics |
| spellingShingle | Carola Costanza Francesco Paolo Colecchia Rita Polito Marcellino Monda Marco Carotenuto Giovanni Messina Antonietta Monda Nicola Mancini Fiorenzo Moscatelli Giuditta Bargiacchi Maria Ruberto Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects Physical Education Theory and Methodology ADHD martial arts executive function behavioral regulation epigenetics |
| title | Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects |
| title_full | Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects |
| title_fullStr | Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects |
| title_short | Martial Arts and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Epigenetic Effects |
| title_sort | martial arts and adhd a narrative review of cognitive behavioral and epigenetic effects |
| topic | ADHD martial arts executive function behavioral regulation epigenetics |
| url | https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3360 |
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