title: The Effects of Taekwondo Training on Brain Connectivity and Body Intelligence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many studies have reported that Taekwondo training could improve body perception, control and brain activity, as assessed with an electroencephalogram. This study aimed to assess body intelligence and brain connectivity in children with Taekwondo training as compared to children without Taekwondo training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen children with Taekwondo training (TKD) and 13 age- and sex-matched children who had no previous experience of Taekwondo training (controls) were recruited. Body intelligence, clinical characteristics and brain connectivity in all children were assessed with the Body Intelligence Scale (BIS), self-report, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BIS score in the TKD group was higher than that in the control group. The TKD group showed increased low-frequency fluctuations in the right frontal precentral gyrus and the right parietal precuneus, compared to the control group. The TKD group showed positive cerebellum vermis (lobe VII) seed to the right frontal, left frontal, and left parietal lobe. The control group showed positive cerebellum seed to the left frontal, parietal, and occipital cortex. Relative to the control group, the TKD group showed increased functional connectivity from cerebellum seed to the right inferior frontal gyrus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of Taekwondo training on brain connectivity in children. Taekwondo training improved body intelligence and brain connectivity from the cerebellum to the parietal and frontal cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Physical Education LAB, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Joo
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Kyung Doo
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Doug Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Body intelligence; Brain connectivity; Cerebellum; Taekwondo; fRMI