Martial Arts‐Based Curriculum Reduces Stress, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems in Elementary Schoolchildren During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study.

This exploratory study examined the impact of Heroes Circle, a martial arts‐based curriculum on stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary school children. While students completed classroom surveys at baseline, post‐curriculum surveys were collected from teachers, students, and parents/guardians 2 and 5 months after COVID‐19‐related school shutdowns. Satisfaction with the curriculum was high among those who received the intervention. Children reported increased mindfulness and decreased stress over the school year. Most children (77%) were still using the program's techniques and reporting benefits 5 months later, including lower internalizing symptoms and COVID‐19‐related fears. These patterns were not observed at the control school. This exploratory study examined the impact of a martial arts‐based curriculum—the Heroes Circle—on stress, emotional and behavioral problems in elementary schoolchildren. Heroes Circle participants reported increased mindfulness and decreased perceived stress over the academic year. Most children were still using the program's techniques and reporting benefits (e.g., lower anxiety/depression, lower COVID‐19‐related fears) up to 5 months after COVID‐19‐related school shutdowns. Martial arts may be a promising approach for improving child well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]