Martial arts participation and externaliazing behavior in juveniles

Martial arts are very popular among juveniles all over the world, but the effects of martial arts on externalizing behavior in juveniles remains unclear. The current multilevel metaanalysis of 9 studies, including 76 effect sizes and N = 1169 juveniles, was conducted to examine the relation between martial arts participation and externalizing behavior in juveniles, and to examine factors with a possible moderating effect. Results showed that there was no overall effect of martial arts participation on externalizing behavior in juveniles. However, in comparison to non-athletes and team sport athletes, less externalizing behavior was found in the martial artists. Furthermore, judokas specifically showed more externalizing behavior, whereas juvenile participants in other martial arts showed a similar level or less externalizing behavior. Implications for future policy and research are discussed.