Taekwondo as a Defensive Mechanism: Going Beyond the Physical Benefits of the Sport

1. Taekwondo as a Defensive Mechanism:Going Beyond the Physical Benefits of the Sport Binh Le H671: Advanced Theories of Health Behavior November 30, 2012

2. Overweight/obese a concern for children? • The trend of overweight/obese children from all backgrounds continues to increase • There are health concerns as children are more vulnerable to illnesses • A financial concern since it is spent on maintaining food intake and hospital bills as well as increased strains on the economic/social system • There is also the impact self-esteem from societal views and trying to gain acceptance

3. What options are available? • Nutritional changes with diet and appropriate food selection • Physical changes can occur by incorporating non-sedentary activities and maintaining an exercise plan • Environmental changes to improve healthier lifestyles • Policy changes such as limiting the sales of junk foods and require a minimum amount of minutes in physical education classes in schools

4. Social Cognitive Theory • Analysis of the multiple streams of influence from the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors • Develop self-efficacy which impacts performance, effort expended, and persistence • The exposure to social reinforcement from influential individuals/groups/environments • Build sense of control for the outcome, social/structure change, and learning through experience to achieve goals • The ability for maintenance and sustaining behavior beyond the intervention

5. Perceptions vs. Reality of Taekwondo

6. What is Taekwondo and why is it appropriate? • From Korea, its emphasis is on a series of hand and kicking strikes with the incorporation of self-defense techniques • It is one of the world’s most popular martial arts • The health benefits offered by the sport go beyond competition, belt ranking, and sparring • Families can do it together • Create a sense of community • Have a support system

7. Incorporating Social Cognitive Theory • The training environment has multitude of influences ranging from personal to environmental factors • Observational learning by children seeing other children similar to them in ability and health status

8. Incorporating Social Cognitive Theory • Reproduction is required since they would need to recall their newly developed skills with belt promotion tests • Self-efficacy is increased as children advance further in the program

9. Incorporating Social Cognitive Theory • The ability for goal achievement for the short- and long-term • Self-regulator capability is developed as a result of the numerous challenges and feedback experienced as one advances towards a black belt

10. Taekwondo Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_RrZIX1JIg&feature=plcp

11. Limitations of SCT with Taekwondo • Afinancial investment when taking part and the fees can add up • Time expected from the children / parents • Intimidating training environment / lost re-inforcers • Pain and soreness (more with taekwondo) due to the techniques expectations • The taekwondo training environment is just one setting • Goal of achieving black belt completed

12. Future Implications • Many social cognitive theory concepts can be implemented when children practice taekwondo • Children can experience reciprocal determinism through the interaction of other individuals, behaviors, and the environment • The experience hands-on allows them to receive feedback that is cognitively processed by the children • It can reduce the health risk associated with obesity, and the knowledge gained from taekwondo can remain with them