The Influence of Taekwondo on the Development of Youth Flexibility: A Systematic Review

Taekwondo is a martial art characterized by wide-ranging movements and techniques that require a high degree of joint range of motion, emerging as a promising practice for the development of flexibility. However, the impact of Taekwondo training on flexibility in young athletes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Taekwondo practice on the development of flexibility in children and adolescents. A systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines, including peer-reviewed studies published between 2011 and 2026. The electronic databases consisted of: SciELO, PubMed/Medline, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 8 studies were included in our analysis, from which 3 were experimental, 1 quasi-experimental, and 4 comparatives with cross-sectional design. Overall, our findings supported the hypothesis that regular practice of Taekwondo contributes to increased range of motion in youth. Taekwondo training can enhance flexibility in children and adolescents. However, the available evidence is scarce and it is unclear how specific training components or individual characteristics contributed to improvements in youth flexibility across studies. Nevertheless, we recommend the practice of Taekwondo, incorporating stretching exercises during warm-up and/or coold-sown periods, as an effective intervention for promoting flexibility development in children and adolescents.