INITIAL MOTIVES IN ENTERING MARTIAL ARTS

PhD. K. MARTINIDIS, TEFAA, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

PhD. G. ZAGGELIDIS, TEFAA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

PhD. S. ZAGGELIDIS TEFAA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Prof.univ.dr. A. DRAGNEA, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport-Pitesti

Key words: martial arts

Introduction

Martial art is a generic term that applies to a number of fighting styles, nearly all of which originated in Asia. The disciplined martial arts help people stay in shape and defend one's self.

Sports participation in Japan, from a 14% in 1957, augmented to 66% in 1979. A rapid change in mentality has been noticed over the last fifty years. Sport is an indispensable part in modern society. As Kuwahara (1982) has stated, sports are a part of modern civilization and form an important sphere of civilization together with politics, economics, military, religion, art, science, information, etc.

The energy which underlies all behaviour and is particularly connected to the butt of learning is what we call motivation (Dweck & Legget, 1988). Motivation and the concrete motives act not only in a role of factors, determining behaviour and activity of athletes, but also in a role of reserved opportunities, which allow to enhance or to weaken the activity, to raise or to reduce the capacity for work, to brake or to stimulate an energy potential of a competing athlete or a sports team. (Nepopalov & Aleksandridi, 2004).

The nature and extent of the desire to learn will influence the degree of motivation, which, in turn, will determine the extent of personal involvement as well the persistence to overcome difficulties and frustrations. Hence, understanding what motivates participants must be of major concern for everyone involved with organized physical activity (Carron, 1984).

First of all, motivators can be internal or external. Intrinsic motivation is the energy found to do an activity for your own sake and not for other reasons. Internal motivation consists of desires and aspirations, which are generally more long lasting since they come from within the participants themselves. The intrinsically motivated athletes will base their performance on how they complete the task (Roberts, 1985). Extrinsic motivation is any reward, which is generally connected to ego satisfaction, such as medals, praise from others, and money (social sources). Where the extrinsically motivated athlete differs from the intrinsically motivated athlete is that even when performance goals are set they will not be satisfied with these goals as there is no social comparison (success) involved in the evaluation process (McClelland et al., 1953).

Internal and external motivators complement one another. The ultimate goal is to have our members take part in Martial arts out of satisfaction and not to achieve rewards. On the other hand internal motivation can be developed through the judicious use of external motivators. An approach, which combines the use of play during teaching and the establishment of prizes based on diligence and the athletic spirit, can increase pleasure and self-esteem.

Sport has been defined as a more or less vigorous personal effort, which we practice for pleasure/ enjoyment according to a set of rules. Α participant's satisfaction can be either physiological or psychological. For Ryan et al. (1997), individuals who were mainly motivated by competence (while engaging in exercise to expand skills) and enjoyment are said to be primarily motivated intrinsically. Sport may or may not be competitive (in relation to others or to one self). Sport competition adds motivation to its practice (Papaioanou & Goudas, 1994). From a practical standpoint, the tendencies toward pleasure were stronger than a competitive spirit.

Among elite performers, women showed higher levels of intrinsic motivation in comparison to their male counterparts (Chantel et al., 1996). Evidence was found (Hellandsig, 1998) that females participated more for friendship, while males did so for competition and winning. The same applies even for children (Gould et al., 1885).

Certain sports attract different types of motivation. Judo, Karate and self-defence in general are combative activities; each of them consists of attacking movements such as sticking, kicking, pushing, or pulling and of defensive movements for blocking the attacks (Sterkowicz, 1991). Judo has inherited a spirit of vitality and energy, and a spirit of mutual appreciation for other people. Gratification judokas derive from their commitment forms a kind of motivation that is based on rewards (belts, trophies, medals and selection) and it is safe to say that in judo it is solidly rooted on the form of the ranking system. Motivation of this type is effective for only so long, however, and more is needed to motivate a judoka. It is recommended that ranks not be used as a one source of external motivation, since this would have an adverse long-term effect on the quality of judo and not increase the likelihood of long-term participation in the sport.

In general, Martial arts give a person positive self-image as well as psychological benefits, both of which are gained through training. This knowledge inspires confidence, which results in a sense of achievement and success (Vercammen, 1996).

Individuals start Martial arts for their own reasons, mainly in connection with needs. Some are motivated to join out of a need to get into shape or to learn self-defence techniques. Youths may be seeking to identify with a hero involved in the martial arts or may sign up because it is what their parents want. Many people decide to take karate, judo or tae kwon do simply to learn self-defense. Some wish to develop some self-confidence. Others are more interested in the sport competition side of the combat sports and the social aspects involved in a large close-knit organization such as ours. Some appreciate the self-enlightenment element of karate - judo - tae kwon do; the never-ending development of their mental and physical discipline. Still others are in it primarily for the exercise. These are just a few of the positive reasons for starting to learn Martial arts. On the other hand, there are those who get involved for the wrong reasons. Some believe that they will impress their friends and gain respect from their piers by being able to physically intimidate the average person in the street. As unbelievable as it may seem, there are even those who would enjoy causing pain and suffering to others.

In relative searches on the condition of Judo, for men (Maekava et al., 1958), in various countries (Matsumoto & Kawamura, 1963) and especially of women's Judo (Kawamura et al., 1978), were distinguished as reasons to enter the sport, health, body and character building up, interesting, identically for men and women (Sterkowicz, 2003) based on Terry and Fowless (1985) motivation questionnaire. Following them, influence by friend, family, T. V. and the image of Judo were above 15 %. In a marginally related study on Ju-jitsu (Sterkowicz, 1990), among others, high in the rank was the improvement in terms of fitness, while only 11.5 % of the respondents were motivated after watching films about Martial Arts and Eastern Culture. Likewise, the influence of radio broadcasts and TV programmes on the decision to take up Judo was on the third place on the "motivation scale" with 16 %, in similar research conducted on Japanese Judoists (Matsumoto et al., 1984). Item with higher response was 'family urging' (26 %), where as 'urging of a friend', 'strong' and 'influence of books & magazines' were above 11 %. Ryan et al. (1997) found that Tae Kwon Do participants were motivated by intrinsic factors such as competence and enjoyment. In some countries, though, external influence was found to be higher than internal impetus (Murayama et al., 1979; Murata, 1980).

The object of this study was the investigation of the initial reasons for Martial arts involvement in Greece.

Method

Sample and Process

The query dealing with factors - motives that contribute in the beginning of engagement with Martial arts was administered to and properly filled by a total of 174 individuals (56 persons from Judo, 47 from Karate and 71 from Tae Kwon Do), over 13 years of age, mainly coaches and athletes of the three sports in question, but also arbitrators as holders of black belt. The questionnaires were distributed for judo during the Greek National championships held in Florina on December 2003 and for karate over the Regional (Northern and Central Greece) championships carried out in Edessa on January 2004, while Tae Kwon Do athletes were from around Thessaloniki. Subjects responded willingly. The number of women in the sample is relatively smaller than that of men following their proportion within the whole attendance in the sports.

Design and application of the questionnaire 

The questionnaire in use constitutes the Greek form of the correspondent Japanese that had been used in the frame of inquire «Dissemination Measures of judo» of Kodokan Judo Department Study Association (survey of the consciousness towards judo-factors for beginning judo) (Matsumoto et al., 1984), but also of the «Actual condition of women's judo», (motivation practice judo) (Kawamura et al., 1978). The questionnaire was also implemented in variant by Sterkowicz in Poland (1990), to athletes of Judo and Ju-jitsu.

The Greek version was aiming at the collection of basic information on the factors-motives that contribute to Combat Arts induction, through 28 questions to be selected or not, with the option of additional comments to be marked (qualitative data). The questionnaire was translated into Greek by bilingual individuals. Language assiduity, so that the questionnaire was comprehensible and readable, was carried out by degree holder individual. For the confirmation of Greek translation, the questionnaire was translated into the origin language again, according to the process that is anticipated by Berry (1969) and Brislin et al. (1973). The validity and the appropriateness of its content, structured to accomplish the inquiry in target, were checked by three experts of these sports (trainers - professors of Physical Education). Their observations led in small changes in the formulation of certain questions.

The grades (Dan) of the respondents were as follows:

Table 1

Experience (Dan) in Judo / Karate / Tae Kwon Do for Male – Female subjects

Dan	0 M - F	1 M - F	2 M - F	3 M - F	4 M - F	5 M - F	Total (M-F)
Judo	14  (10-4)	15  (8-7)	9  (7-2)	10 (8- 2)	5  (4-1)	3  (3-0)	56 (40-16)
%	25.0	26.8	16.1	17.9	8.9	5.4	100
Karate	7 (5 - 2)	13 (7 - 6)	11 (10-1)	9 (9 - 0)	3 (2 - 1)	4 (4 - 0)	47 (37-10)
%	14.9	27.7	23.4	19.1	6.4	8.5	100
TaeKwonDo	46 (33-13)	15 (9 - 6)	7  (6 – 1)	3 (2 - 1)	0	0	71 (50- 21)
%	64.6	21.1	9.9	4.2	0	0	100

 Statistical analysis included frequencies, cross tabs (chi square X²) and non parametric Man- Whitney (U) test, as well as factor analysis and correlation.

Results

The ranking of the answers (acceptance as reasons) in the twenty eight questions (selections – options) is shown in table 2.

The ranking of reasons is the same in total as it appears within each sport, regarding the first five ranks. Especially for children up to 12 years (studied separately), the main reasons they began practicing Tae Kwon Do was that they were attracted by the sport (interesting) and were compelled by their families (urge).

Table 2

Motives (reasons) for beginning Martial Arts

Rank	Reasons Judo	%	Reasons Karate	%	Reasons Tae Kwon Do	%
1	Interesting sport	71.4	Interesting sport	76.6	Health benefits	81.7
2	Health benefits	44.6	Health benefits	70.2	Interesting sport	71.8
3	Strong	42.9	Strong	61.7	Strong	59.2
4	Character cultivation	42.9	Character cultivation	61.7	Character cultivation	57.7
5	Family urge	41	Atmosphere	53.2	Family urge	46.5
6	Small v. big opponent	37.5	Not seasonal sport	46.8	Dojo near by	46.5
7	Dojo near by	28.6	Movie	44.7	Movie	43.7
8	Inherited body size	28.6	Inherited body size	42.6	Practice Demonstration	42.3
9	Will to be able- skillful	26.8	Recreation	42.6	Small v. big opponent	40.8
10	Friend urge	23.2	Belt	38.3	T. V.	40.8
11	Safe	23.2	Friend urge	34	Atmosphere	39.1
12	Atmosphere	23.2	Safe	31.9	Inherited body size	36.6
13	Other	23.2	Family urge	29.8	Belt	35.2
14	East origin	21.4	Small v. big opponent	29.8	Not seasonal sport	33.8
15	Belt	21.4	One opponent	27.7	One opponent	33.8

The ranking of reasons is the same in total as it appears within each sport, regarding the first five ranks. Especially for children up to 12 years (studied separately), the main reasons they began practicing Tae Kwon Do was that they were attracted by the sport (interesting) and were compelled by their families (urge).

Given the gravity each reason holds, the following order of reasoning in entering Martial arts is formed:

- Interesting sport, Health benefits

- Cultivation of Strong body and/or Character

- Family urge

- Atmosphere surrounding the sport, Inherited body structure – shape, a Small sized person can fight versus a Big sized one, easy Access to a gym (Dojo near by), influence by a Movie

- Not Seasonal sport, Friends urge, Belt, Safety (not injuries)

- Influence from T. V. and/or practice Demonstration in vivo, become Skillful, One to One Opponent fight event

- Remaining and Other reasons.

Tae Kwon Do subjects were given an extra of 8 questions, relevant to the nature of the sport, to choose from. According to their choices, the chance to acquire knowledge and have the freedom to express them selves alongside with self esteem, the feeling of being secured and discipline figure as highly merited reasons among subjects to start engaging with the sport.

Using factor analysis and correlations, the formulation of a spectrum of factors concerning motivation was obtained. Each of them consists of one or more options with relevant meaning and reflects a different kind of motivation. Some factors attract separate interest, like:

- Physical - personal benefits (health, strength, ability, character)

- Interesting sport

- Family urge

- Nature of judo/ karate (one to one, small versus big body size)

- Demonstration means (book - magazine, TV., film, lecture, in vivo display)

- Suitable (not seasonal, near by, cheap)

- External Image (east origin, belt, outfit)

The only factor (reason) that females were higher in is 'Family urge'. Males were impressively high with 'Demonstration means'. In each sport separately, with regard to sex differences, the situation is the same as in all sample mainly for Karate, while for male Judokas "External image" is first in order.

Judokas seem to be far less influenced by means of Demonstration, as compared to their piers from the other arts. Judokas are also more influenced by External image than others.

Discussion

The strongest incentives in all groups (Judo / Karate / Tae Kwon Do) were: interesting and physical – personal benefits, followed by family urge. These agree with findings in Sterkowiczs (2003) study and in previous ones. Atmosphere becomes particular an incentive for Karate participants. The difference in physical benefits, in favor of Karate / Tae Kwon Do, likewise regarding demonstration means (mainly for males) and external image (for Karate females), as well as the importance of family urge in the case of Judo / Tae Kwon Do, reflect the difference between the three sports in their nature and promotion (Sterkowicz, 1991). Indeed, Karate is better known in our society, mainly from films and is more "asked" by children, where in Judo / Tae Kwon Do family urge is more needed.

The gender factor basically had no statistically significant bearing on the strength of subjects' incentives to enter the sports. As exception serves the family urge, especially among Karate subjects, and the media influence in general. Society is more delicate to girls as to their engagement with sports, particularly in the case of combative arts. Thus, the family urge appears to be decisively inducible for women. Men are more susceptible in media influence than women, but still in low proportion. Nevertheless, owing to the fact that the sample was not consisted from elite athletes (Chantel et al., 1996), females do not appear more intrinsically motivated than men.

The initiation in the above sports in query due to the reason being 'hard competition' is found below average percentage. Still, as Nobel Prize winner Dr. Konrad Lorenz wrote in his famous work on aggression, fighting is an extremely spontaneous action and in itself is the very proof of life. Simultaneously, the ritual fight, like Judo, may relieve aggression (Santschi, 1985).

There seems interesting a picture about the dissension of reasoning amid the three combat arts, as regards to options of second order, related to external image and suitability of the sport, even more recreation. The latter, as with physical benefits, is deemed of enhanced value by Karate people. One must be cautious, however, owing to the weighted proportion that Karate and Tae Kwon Do people stick with the options of the questionnaire. Hence, only the distance in demonstration means can be safely contemplated as important.

In conclusion, there are no big differences between Judo, Karate and Tae Kwon Do participants as to which are the main reasons for them getting into those sports, basically also on both sexes. Potential athletes are clearly more intrinsically motivated (Ryan et al., 1997). They find Martial arts interesting and a means to attain physical – personal benefits, before any external influence or peculiarity of each sport is encountered as impulse to get them engaged in.

Generally, Martial arts provide with a meaningful framework that inspires motivation.

Abstract

The present study meets with a scarcity of research in Greece concerning the situation on martial arts. In times that sport gains an important place in our society, the investigation of the factors that lead people to be engaged in less popular activities like Judo, Karate and Tae Kwon Do gathers a special interest. For the completion of this purpose a questionnaire of 28 items (typical – related reasons) was translated into Greek to be implemented. The query was administered to 56 Judo, 47 Karate and 71 Tae Kwon Do individuals of both sexes, with variant experience in these arts. Data analysis revealed no significant difference between the sports and sexes as regards to the main motives encountered for entering the sports. The later serve as interesting for participants as well as a means of physical and personal cultivation. Differences were detected upon second rate reasons. Basically in Karate (p<.001), but also in all sample (p<.05) males are influenced more by demonstration means and practice the art as recreation (p<.01). Family urge, as reason to participate, was found higher among females (p<.05) in general. Finally, the prevailing motivation underlining Martial arts involvement is of rather internal source.

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