IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology

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Abstract - Values and needs realized through sports and martial arts

Objectives. The study aimed at getting acquainted with the opinion of the individuals training various martial sports and arts on their subjective values and fulfilled needs resulting from the participation in such motor activities. Participants and methods. The study involved 60 athletes actively practicing various types of combat sports and martial arts, living in Płock and its surroundings. Age of study participants ranged from 7 years to 56 years (mean: 23.7 years). There were three groups of participants distinguished in dependence of the type of practiced martial art styles. The most numerous group included participants training Capoeira (29 individuals), the second – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Kalaki (16 individuals), the third group consisted of the representatives of other martial arts and combat sports, mainly training Judo and Karate as well as Kung Fu (Sanda), Kick Boxing, Krav Maga, and self-defense (15 individuals). The studied athletes differed in the time of training and experience. Duration of training was between 2 months and 38 years (mean: 4.5 years). The studied individuals represented both the beginners and their instructors. In this study, method of the diagnostic sounding with questionnaire technique (original method). Results. For the majority of studied individuals, martial arts and combat sports were valuable and desired, and the participation on such activities gave them “satisfaction of acquired skills” and “self-confidence”. One-third out of responders training Capoeira and BJJ Kalaki would like to became instructors of these martial arts in the future. In the group practicing Judo and Karate such a wish expressed two thirds of responders. For the majority of examined individuals martial arts and sports were important and they could not imagine living without them. Conclusions. Analysis of the collected data has showed that martial arts and sports are valuable and desirable for people training them and participation in such activities satisfied them and increased their self-confidence. Athletes specializing in Judo and Karate (for a longer time) significantly more often than the younger ones – training Capoeira and BJJ Kalaki – conditioned the success in sports on the difficulty of exercises during the training sessions. Responders training Capoeira more often than those training BJJ Kalaki “have had an impression that they were needless”. On the other hand, those training Judo and Karate considered themselves exceptional significantly more often than students of Capoeira and BJJ Kalaki.