Perspectives of parents on health benefits associated with taekwondo for adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disability

Abstract

 Taekwondo may serve as an important therapeutic programme to promote physical, social, cognitive and emotional health among adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Little research has explored the value of Taekwondo for health benefits among adolescents and young adults with IDD living in the United States. The purpose of this study was to capture health benefits associated with Taekwondo among adolescents with IDD from the perspectives of parents and observations. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight participants, four salient themes were identified as health benefits that Taekwondo participation provided for their child: (a) emotional benefits, (b) social benefits, (c) cognitive benefits, and (d) physical benefit. The findings of this study indicate that Taekwondo can improve the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of adolescents and young adults with IDD and may be considered an effective mind-body exercise programme for promoting their health and well-being in these domains.

Keywords: Health; Qualitative approach; Taekwondo; Intellectual disability; Developmental disability.