THE EFFECTIVENESS OF KARATE SPORTS FOR CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD): A REVIEW OF LITERATURE STUDIES

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that hinder children's academic, social, and emotional development. The treatment of ADHD has relied heavily on pharmacological therapy, which although effective, cannot be separated from side effects. Therefore, an alternative approach that is safe and sustainable is needed, one of which is through physical activities such as martial arts. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of karate sports in helping manage ADHD symptoms in children. The method used is a literature study with a descriptive qualitative approach, referring to the PRISMA selection flow and using the Google Scholar database. From the results of screening 761,000 articles, 7 relevant articles were selected for analysis. The results of the study showed that karate contributed to improving focus, impulse control, emotion regulation, and social interaction in children with ADHD. Karate is considered to be able to be a holistic intervention because it combines physical, mental, and social aspects. The conclusions of this study suggest that karate has the potential to be an effective non-pharmacological approach, especially if supported by the integrated involvement of teachers, counselors, and families. Further studies based on controlled experiments remain needed to strengthen the empirical evidence.