ReviewChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2026
Effects of Martial Arts Intervention in Children and Young People with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD): A Systematic Review.
Review in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Effects of Wushu Programs on Lower-Limb Explosive Power in Preschool Children Aged 5-6 Years: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDevelopmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental motor disorder characterised by marked difficulties in the acquisition and execution of motor skills, substantially affecting daily activities and quality of life. Martial arts (MAs), due to their multi-skilled nature, have been studied as possible intervention strategies to improve motor competence and functionality in children with DCD.
objectivesThe present systematic review aimed to explore the effects of MA practice in children and adolescents with DCD, identifying the benefits, methodological characteristics and practical implications of existing interventions.
methodsThe search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases, following the PRISMA 2021 guidelines, using the keywords (developmental coordination disorder OR DCD OR dyspraxia) AND (karate OR judo OR taekwondo OR aikido OR martial art) AND (child OR preschool). Experimental and quasi-experimental studies that applied MA programmes to children and adolescents (≤18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of DCD were included.
resultsOf the 1834 identified records, five studies met the inclusion criteria. The MA modalities examined were karate, tai chi, and taekwondo. Across studies (n per study = 16-145), MA-based programmes consistently yielded significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in overall motor competence (MC), balance, muscle strength, and coordination; one study reported maintenance of coordination gains at 3-month follow-up. Methodological quality assessed with the Downs and Black checklist ranged from fair to good (scores = 18-22). No adverse events were reported.
conclusionsBased on the included studies, MA interventions demonstrate potential as an effective motor intervention approach for children and adolescents with DCD. Findings consistently indicated significant improvements in motor competence, balance, muscle strength, and coordination, with additional benefits observed in cognitive and psychosocial domains and no reported adverse effects.
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Registered trials
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