Scientific Study Revealed Taekwondo Benefits for Metabolic and Muscular Health in Older Women

In a quiet gym far from the Olympic spotlight, a group of women in their 60s tied their belts, stepped onto the mat, and began throwing kicks they had never imagined themselves doing. Twelve weeks later, science confirmed what their bodies had already felt: Taekwondo had changed them from the inside out.

An international team of researchers had analyzed the impact of Taekwondo training on women over 60 with sedentary lifestyles, finding significant improvements in muscular strength, lean mass, and glucose control.

The study, published in May 2025 in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, followed 22 women divided into a Taekwondo program group and a control group. Results indicated that regular practice of this Korean martial art could contribute to healthier aging and lower chronic disease risk.

Taekwondo as a Health Strategy

The research, conducted in Brazil and South Korea, implemented a Taekwondo program adapted for older adults. Participants trained three times a week for 60 minutes, combining warm-ups, basic techniques, poomsae, and coordination drills.

“We wanted to explore how a traditional activity like Taekwondo could be integrated into health promotion programs for older adults, beyond its competitive role,” the authors explained.

This approach gained relevance as populations worldwide faced growing challenges related to aging and sedentary lifestyles.

Measurable Changes in Body and Metabolism

After 12 weeks, the Taekwondo group had shown significant increases in thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), better handgrip strength, and improved flexibility.

They also recorded reductions in HbA1c, a key blood sugar control marker, and increases in GLP-1 levels, a hormone linked to appetite regulation and insulin sensitivity.

The control group showed no significant changes.

Public Health Implications

Although the sample size was small and limited to sedentary older women, the findings highlighted Taekwondo’s potential as a complementary public health tool.

Similar programs could be implemented in community centers, dojangs, or national federations seeking to expand their impact beyond competitive sport.

“Taekwondo combines movement, mental focus, coordination, and social values. It’s a complete activity that can be adapted to different ages and levels,” the researchers emphasized.

Science and Tradition Aligned

This type of research reinforced the idea that Taekwondo was not only a high-performance Olympic sport but also a practice with therapeutic and community-building potential, especially valuable in aging populations.

For the global Taekwondo ecosystem, such evidence represented a strategic opportunity to expand its practitioner base, diversify programs, and position the sport as a tool for physical and mental well-being.

📄 Reference: “Effects of Taekwondo Training on Skeletal Muscle, Physical Fitness, and Metabolic Health in Sedentary Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, May 2025. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1553202

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Claudio Aranda

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