The Effects of Martial Arts Instruction on Preadolescents ’ and Early Adolescents ’ Self-Esteem

The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in attitudes toward self occurred after preadolescents and early adolescents participated in the first level of Taekwondo instruction. The sample included students enrolled in Taekwondo classes in 100 martial arts training centers across the United States. Two surveys were administered: one to students and another to the instructors. A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze student responses, and a MANOVA was used to examine differences in instructors ’ ratings of their students. Results of this study indicated that students had higher self-esteem after receiving the first cycle of Taekwondo instruction