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The Effects of Taekwondo Training on Peripheral Neuroplasticity-Related Growth Factors, Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Su-Youn Cho

    (Department of Taekwondo, Youngsan University, Yangsan-si 50510, Korea)

  • Wi-Young So

    (Sports and Health Care Major, College of Humanities and Arts, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju-si 27469, Korea)

  • Hee-Tae Roh

    (Department of Physical Education, College of Arts and Physical Education, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea)

Abstract

Although regular Taekwondo (TKD) training has been reported to be effective for improving cognitive function in children, the mechanism underlying this improvement remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to observe changes in neuroplasticity-related growth factors in the blood, assess cerebral blood flow velocity, and verify the resulting changes in children’s cognitive function after TKD training. Thirty healthy elementary school students were randomly assigned to control ( n = 15) and TKD ( n = 15) groups. The TKD training was conducted for 60 min at a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 11–15, 5 times per week, for 16 weeks. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were measured by blood sampling before and after the training, and the cerebral blood flow velocities (peak systolic [MCAs], end diastolic [MCAd], mean cerebral blood flow velocities [MCAm], and pulsatility index [PI]) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured using Doppler ultrasonography. For cognitive function assessment, Stroop Color and Word Tests (Word, Color, and Color-Word) were administered along with other measurements. The serum BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1 levels and the Color-Word test scores among the sub-factors of the Stroop Color and Word Test scores were significantly higher in the TKD group after the intervention ( p < 0.05). On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in any factors related to cerebral blood flow velocities, or in the Word test and Color test scores ( p > 0.05). Thus, 16-week TKD training did not significantly affect cerebral blood flow velocities, but the training may have been effective in increasing children’s cognitive function by inducing an increase in the levels of neuroplasticity-related growth factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Su-Youn Cho & Wi-Young So & Hee-Tae Roh, 2017. "The Effects of Taekwondo Training on Peripheral Neuroplasticity-Related Growth Factors, Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:5:p:454-:d:96661
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Abdelmotaleb Kadri & Maamer Slimani & Nicola Luigi Bragazzi & David Tod & Fairouz Azaiez, 2019. "Effect of Taekwondo Practice on Cognitive Function in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Hee-Tae Roh & Su-Youn Cho & Wi-Young So, 2018. "Taekwondo Training Improves Mood and Sociability in Children from Multicultural Families in South Korea: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Giulia Giordano & Manuel Gómez-López & Marianna Alesi, 2021. "Sports, Executive Functions and Academic Performance: A Comparison between Martial Arts, Team Sports, and Sedentary Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Yong-Kuk Lee & Su-Youn Cho & Hee-Tae Roh, 2021. "Effects of 16 Weeks of Taekwondo Training on the Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity, Circulating Neurotransmitters, and Subjective Well-Being of Obese Postmenopausal Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Falonn Contreras-Osorio & Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán & Enrique Cerda-Vega & Luis Chirosa-Ríos & Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo & Christian Campos-Jara, 2022. "Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Hee-Tae Roh & Su-Youn Cho & Wi-Young So, 2020. "Effects of Regular Taekwondo Intervention on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Myokines in Overweight and Obese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, April.
    7. Su-Youn Cho & Hee-Tae Roh, 2019. "Taekwondo Enhances Cognitive Function as a Result of Increased Neurotrophic Growth Factors in Elderly Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-12, March.

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