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

participants’ responses to an open-ended question. Results: Results demonstrated that 
Taekwondo experience was significantly associated with more positive ratings of self-esteem 
and of body image, and a stronger belief that Taekwondo influences physical health.
Qualitative results revealed that participants reported physical, psychological, and social 
motivations for participating in Taekwondo, and Taekwondo experience was associated with a 
greater number of perceived psychological motivations. Conclusion: The potential therapeutic 
implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed. 
Keywords: Taekwondo, self-esteem, body image, wellbeing, mental health 
 
I. Introduction 
Training the body and the mind: Examining psychological correlates of Taekwondo. In 
many forms of martial arts, spiritual, mental, and physical development have been traditionally 
conceptualized as interrelated processes (Burke, Al-Adawi, Lee, & Audette, 2007). In 
Taekwondo, a martial art originating from Korea, the interconnectedness of physical and 
psychological fitness has been apparent throughout history. Modern Taekwondo evolved 
from an ancient fighting system in which ethical teachings and character development were 
integral to training, and practitioners were expected to use these teachings to guide their 
lifestyles (Park & Gerrard, 2000).

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International Journal of Martial Arts 
Present-day Taekwondo adheres to a philosophy similar to the one belonging to its ancient 
predecessor (Park & Gerrard, 2000), with psychological, physical, and spiritual aspects often 
incorporated into training (Lee, 2010). Practitioners are expected to display respect for oneself 
and for others, humility, perseverance, self-control, and honesty in order to better ascribe to the 
guiding principles of the martial art (Park & Gerrard, 2000). Many modern Taekwondo schools 
and training centers incorporate such values into their curriculums and place a heavy emphasis 
on their importance. Thus, for many Taekwondo practitioners, mastering this art is dependent 
on training both the mind and the body. The inseparability of the two may be what makes this 
discipline important not only for physical health but also for psychological wellbeing. 
However, Taekwondo has not yet been comprehensively examined in the context of 
psychological research. Following a brief overview of the literature focusing on Taekwondo 
and mental health, we present a preliminary empirical analysis of the relationships among 
Taekwondo participation and a number of psychological and health-related variables. The 
present research will also provide insight into practitioners’ motivations for Taekwondo 
participation. This is done in an attempt to better understand the ways in which practitioners 
conceptualize their involvement in Taekwondo and to determine whether traditional 
Taekwondo philosophies are embedded in modern-day practice.