Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: Training Through Exams
- TATU Taekwon-Do
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
It’s common for students approaching GCSEs and A Levels to reduce their extracurricular activities, especially sports, in the belief that cutting back will help them focus more on academics. At TATU TKD we see this often - and we genuinely believe it’s a disservice to both young people’s physical health and academic performance to stop training altogether.
Research consistently shows that maintaining regular physical activity - especially structured training like Taekwon-Do - supports cognitive function, mental wellbeing, and long-term success. Here’s why:
1. Exercise Boosts Brain Function & Academic Performance
Multiple studies show that regular physical activity improves memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function — all critical for learning and exam performance.
A review published in Frontiers in Psychology found that physical activity enhances cognitive performance and academic achievement in children and adolescents.
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1383384/full#h6
Research in Pediatrics showed that students who remain active during school years tend to perform better on standardised tests than those who are sedentary.
Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/3/e20161642/60384/
2. Exercise Reduces Stress and Improves Mental Health
Exam periods are stressful — and stress can significantly impact sleep, mood, and concentration. Fitness and martial arts like Taekwon-Do trigger the release of endorphins, which help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety.
A study published in Psychological Bulletin highlights that exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly in adolescents.
Link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203
The Journal of Adolescent Health reports that organised sport participation is linked to better psychological well-being and lower levels of stress.
Link: https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(23)00376-2/fulltext
3. Sports Build Discipline, Confidence and Time Management
Taekwon-Do isn’t just physical - it teaches routines, goal-setting, resilience, and self-discipline. These psychological skills are invaluable during heavy academic periods like GCSE and A Levels.
Research shows that students engaged in martial arts often demonstrate higher self-esteem, focus, and self-regulation, all of which translate into productive study habits.
4. A Healthy Body Supports a Healthy Mind
High-intensity training improves cardiovascular fitness, sleep quality, and overall energy levels - essential factors when studying long hours.
A Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise study found that aerobic exercise helps improve sleep quality and brain function, particularly in young adults.
So What Does This Mean for TATU Students?
Rather than stepping away from Taekwon-Do during crucial academic years, students can benefit from maintaining consistent training, even if the schedule needs slight adjustment. Training:
enhances focus and cognitive resilience,
builds stress management tools,
supports physical and mental health,
boosts confidence and discipline that directly transfers to study habits.
Stopping sport completely can mean missing out on these long-term benefits at exactly the time they matter most.
Our Support for Students
At TATU TKD we encourage students to find balance. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your instructors about:
modified class schedules,
specific training goals during exams,
balancing study and training priorities.
We want academic success AND sustained wellbeing - not one at the cost of the other.
Stay strong - mind and body. Training isn’t something you pause for exams - it’s something that supports you through them. 💪🥋
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