Is martial arts participation associated with sleep quality among Chinese adolescents? A cross-sectional baseline survey - Report - MDSpire

Exploring the Relationship Between Martial Arts Involvement and Sleep Quality in Chinese Adolescents: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

  • By

  • Minqing Yang

  • Xiangshan Ge

  • Defa Zhang

  • July 20, 2026

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Clinical Report: Exploring the Relationship Between Martial Arts Involvement and Sleep Quality

Overview

This study investigates the association between martial arts participation and sleep quality among Chinese adolescents, revealing a significant correlation. Higher participation in martial arts is linked to improved sleep quality.

Background

Sleep quality is crucial for adolescent health, impacting emotional stability and academic performance. Poor sleep is prevalent among adolescents, often exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity.

Data Highlights

MeasureValue
Correlation between martial arts participation and sleep qualityr = 0.162, p < 0.001
Association after controlling for demographic factorsB = 0.005, 95% CI: 0.003–0.007, β = 0.179, p < 0.001
Activity type association with sleep qualityB = 0.098, 95% CI: 0.055–0.141, β = 0.358, p < 0.001

Key Findings

  • Higher martial arts participation correlates with better sleep quality (r = 0.162, p < 0.001).
  • After controlling for demographic factors, martial arts participation is significantly associated with improved sleep quality (B = 0.005, p < 0.001).
  • The type of martial arts practiced also significantly impacts sleep quality (B = 0.098, p < 0.001).
  • Common method bias test indicated that the first unrotated factor explained 23.06% of the total variance, below the 40% threshold.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that incorporating martial arts into school programs may enhance sleep quality among adolescents. This could serve as a practical approach to address sleep-related issues in this population.

Conclusion

The study highlights a significant association between martial arts participation and improved sleep quality among Chinese adolescents.

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