Changes in Physical Fitness in Children Aged 7–10 Participating in a 12-Week Training Programme of Various Forms of Combat Sports

The aim of the study is to compare changes in physical fitness in children aged 7–10 training in two martial arts: Korean International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Taekwon-do and Japanese Kyokushin Karate. A group of 163 children (51.5% boys) aged 7–10 years (median-7.7 years (Q1-7.4, Q3-8.1)) was examined. The study participants were divided into: Training group (T = 55), group TT (n = 19, Taekwon-do), group TK (n = 36, Kyokushin Karate) and the control group (C), consisting of 108 children. The study was multi-stage: Stage I—an initial screening for group selection, height, weight, and segmental body composition, as well as physical fitness using selected EUROFIT tests. In Stage II, children from groups TT and TK completed a 12-week training programme, while group C did not change their physical activity routines. After the program was completed, all groups (TT, TK, C) repeated the tests from Stage I. In the group of children training Taekwon-do, positive changes were observed in the range of fitness tests, including flexibility, speed of hand movements and abdominal strength; the differences are statistically significant. In the group of children training Karate, positive, statistically insignificant changes were observed only in functional strength. Introducing martial arts elements into physical education classes can have a positive impact on improving the physical condition of children aged 7–10.