The Benefits of Taekwondo Training for Undergraduate Students: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this phenomenological research was to discover whether training in the Korean martial art of Taekwondo may benefit undergraduate (UG) students in handling stress. The goal of this innovative approach to learning and stress management was to allow UG students from across disciplines at a metropolitan university achieve an increased sense of emotional balance, inner peace, and overall well-being in body, mind, and spirit. No such study has been conducted before now. This research was multidisciplinary in its inclusion of insights from the tenets of higher education, human development and psychology, nursing and sociology, as well as the art, philosophy, and sport of Taekwondo. Ten UG student participants were sought for this research study, though a total of eight students agreed to participate. The study was open to all of the UG students at this university. Phenomenology was used to identify themes that emerged regarding student participant's experience with stress. Consequently, new ideas were established about the ways in which UG students learned to use Taekwondo training to overcome stress, thereby improving upon and maintaining health and well-being in body, mind, and spirit.

Regular Taekwondo Training Affects Mood State and Sociality but Not Cognitive Function among International Students in South Korea

“…Participation in routine Taekwondo training can provide adolescents with various physical, mental, and social benefits [ 24 ], and can be beneficial in the stress management of undergraduate students [ 16 ]. In addition, it can be effective in promoting holistic health, by inducing positive changes in body, mind, and spirit [ 16 ].…”

“…Participation in routine Taekwondo training can provide adolescents with various physical, mental, and social benefits [ 24 ], and can be beneficial in the stress management of undergraduate students [ 16 ]. In addition, it can be effective in promoting holistic health, by inducing positive changes in body, mind, and spirit [ 16 ]. Further, Taekwondo has inherent Korean characteristics, such as the specificity of terms and techniques written in Korean, and the norms of etiquettes, reflecting Korean perspectives; thus, it has the ability of providing an experience of the unique culture of Korea [ 25 ].…”

“…Additionally, undergraduate students may suffer from lower levels of psychological and/or mental well-being than in the general population, including in same aged non-student populations, due to multiple stress factors, such as academic challenges, competition, and pressure to achieve [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Taekwondo training can be effective in improving the well-being of undergraduate students because it has a beneficial effect on stress management [ 16 ], as shown by Toskovic who proved that Taekwondo can be effective in improving the mood state of undergraduate students [ 17 ]. Furthermore, it has been reported that Taekwondo participation can contribute to personal growth related to cross-cultural contacts.…”

Effect of Taekwondo Practice on Cognitive Function in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Within this theoretical framework, taekwondo (TKD) is a Korean martial art, refined over generations, that engages students in a range of cognitive, physical, emotional, social and educational processes [11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]. Recently, TKD has received attention from scholars and researchers, who have investigated the benefits of TKD training among children and adolescents, in terms of cognitive and behavioral improvements [21,22,23,24].…”

As an Educator, The Evaluation of the Competences of Coaches from the Point of View of the Elite Athletes: The Case of Elite Taekwondo Athletes

“…An analysis of the results of these studies indicated that athletes practicing taekwondo went through positive psychosocial changes (Duthie, Hope & Barker, 1978, Rothpearl, 1980Nosanchuk, 1981, Nosanchuk & Mac Neil, 1989Skelton et al, 1991;Kurian et al, 1993, Kim, 1995, Kim et al 2011, Tadesse 2016, Benke at al. 2017, Petrovic 2017.…”