Microsoft Word Training the body and mind Examining psychological correlates of Taekwondo docx

IV. Discussion 
In addition to providing converging evidence with previous research, the present study 
extends the literature in the domain of martial arts. As predicted, higher levels of self-esteem 
were positively associated with Taekwondo experience. This result adds to previous findings 
of enhanced self-esteem in martial artists, extending them to include a more representative 
sample of adult Taekwondo students in terms of age and gender.
Moreover, this finding is interesting when considered in conjunction with the 
qualitative results of this study and with the Exercise Self-Esteem Model. Many practitioners 
reported that they participated in Taekwondo to challenge themselves mentally or physically, 
to learn new skills, or to work towards achieving a goal. Additionally, practitioners frequently 
reported that Taekwondo aided in increasing energy, improving flexibility, learning self-
defense, increasing strength, and facilitating weight loss. Many of these responses fall into the 
physical self-worth subdomains of strength, conditioning, body attractiveness, and sports 
competency, which are thought to ultimately generalize to increases in global self-esteem. 
Secondly, this study represents one of the first empirical examinations of body image 
in the context of martial arts. The results demonstrate support for our hypotheses, and add to 
previous evidence showing that various forms of exercise can have a positive impact on body 
image perceptions (Hausenblas & Fallon, 2006; Hös, 2005; Taspinar et al., 2013).
Unexpectedly, however, body image perceptions were not significantly correlated with self-
esteem levels. This finding could potentially be interpreted within hierarchical structure of the 
Exercise Self-Esteem Model. If body image perceptions fall closer to the base of the model 
(i.e., the subdomain of body attractiveness), they might be expected to change at a faster rate 
than global self-esteem, which may have resulted in a non-linear relationship between these 
two variables.
Another novel finding of the present study is that, consistent with our hypotheses, the 
longer practitioners had been training in Taekwondo, the greater impact they felt it had on their 
physical health. Curiously, despite reporting a stronger belief that Taekwondo had an impact 
on physical health, these more experienced practitioners did not provide more positive overall 
physical health ratings than less experienced martial artists. One possible explanation for this 
disparity is that in order to become involved in a physically demanding sport such as 
Taekwondo, one might believe him or herself to be physically healthy. Thus, ceiling effects 
might have occurred for this question.
Our hypotheses that Taekwondo experience would be associated with more positive 
overall mental health ratings and an increased perceived impact on mental health were not 
supported. Taekwondo experience only correlated marginally with overall mental health 
ratings, albeit in the expected direction. However, the qualitative results provide a potential 
explanation for the non-significant correlations between mental health and Taekwondo 

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International Journal of Martial Arts 
experience. Practitioners did indeed report psychological benefits from training, both transient 
and enduring in nature, in their open-ended responses. It might be that a more nuanced 
relationship exists between Taekwondo and mental health. In other words, distinct types of 
mental health benefits might be more likely to affect practitioners at different points of their 
training. 
Decreases in stress and anxiety, along with increases in psychological wellbeing, 
feelings of happiness, and improved state of mind, may be immediately apparent when 
practitioners begin training. In some cases, these may serve as initial motivation for beginning 
Taekwondo. On the other hand, the enduring psychological motivations reported by 
participants often referenced more stable characteristics, ones which they believed Taekwondo 
had helped them to develop. Improvements in areas such as confidence, focus, and discipline 
likely take longer to accrue. This may also explain why Enduring Psychological Motivations 
was the only qualitative theme more likely to be reported by the more experienced practitioners.
The qualitative results also suggest that the traditional conceptualizations of martial arts 
as a lifestyle are reflected in modern practice. Consistent with previous research that some 
practitioners come to view martial arts as a spiritual practice (Twemlow, Lerma & Twemlow, 
1996), and as a means for character development (Lantz, 2002), participants discussed how 
Taekwondo had enhanced their moral character in ways such as increased respect for 
themselves and for other people. Others believed that Taekwondo had become a way of life, a 
factor that had shaped important aspects of their lives, or a guiding principle in their 
development as human beings.