Martial arts benefit children with ADHD
Participation in martial arts is proving to be favourable for kids living with ADHD.
While many alternatives to medication for children who have ADHD come and go, participation in martial arts does not seem to be going anywhere. In fact, it is gaining support from parents and medical professionals alike.
John Ratey, the associate clinical professor of psychology at Harvard, is a firm believer in using martial arts to help children dealing with ADHD. Ratey has written several books related to the subject.
“This is not a cure, but it is certainly a useful intervention,” said Ratey in an article published in the New York Times.
Sally Armstrong, whose son was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven, said she did not need a doctor to tell her that martial art classes were effective.
“The fact that he could actually sit still after jiu jitsu was all the proof I needed,” said Armstrong.
Seth Quiring, an instructor at Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu in Tecumseh, said that he sees firsthand the benefits of exercise, especially martial arts. He believes in the importance of the mind-body connection.
“Physical activity is extremely important for people,” Quiring said.
Ratey mirrors that idea in his books, explaining that exercise stimulates norepinephrine and dopamine, the chemicals in the brain that ADHD medications target. This chemical reaction can help to reduce some of the symptoms of ADHD, such as hyperactivity.
Ratey goes on to say that martial arts offer benefits that extend past those from sports such as baseball and soccer because it requires complex motor movements.
These extra benefits include helping kids channel their energy and practicing self-control in a safe and fun space, according to parenting.com. It also provides structure and stability in the child’s schedule, which are key aspects of daily life for someone living with ADHD.
Ratey said that martial arts not a substitute for medical treatment for ADHD, but a supplement and any medical issues should always be discussed with a physician.
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