Association of Martial Arts and Executive Functions in Children Aged 8–12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Executive functions (EFs), including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are critical for cognitive development and academic success in children. Research suggests that structured physical activities, such as martial arts, are associated with better EFs, yet studies in non-Western contexts like Morocco are scarce. This study addressed this gap by examining the association between martial arts training and EFs among Moroccan children mean age = 10.20 years, SD = 1.30; 26 females and 34 males. A cross-sectional design was employed, comparing 30 children practicing full contact and kung fu in semi-urban clubs with 30 children engaging in unstructured play in rural areas. EFs were assessed using culturally adapted tests, including the Digit Span Test, Corsi Block-Tapping Test, Stroop Color-Word Test, and New Card Sorting Test, with composite scores for each EF domain. Non-parametric and parametric tests were used due to non-normal data distributions. Results indicated that the martial arts group outperformed the control group across all EF domains (inhibitory control: d = -1.562, p < 0.001; cognitive flexibility: d = -0.826, p = 0.003; Working memory: r = 0.473, p < 0.001), with inhibitory control as the strongest predictor of group membership (b = -2.673, p = 0.003, OR = 0.069). Cognitive flexibility mediated 41.7% of the association between martial arts and overall EF performance (p = 0.010). These findings suggest martial arts are associated with better cognitive development in Moroccan children, informing potential integration into educational curricula. The cross-sectional design and modest sample size limit causal inferences, warranting longitudinal research to explore working memory ability in diverse cultural settings.