The aim of the current study was to identify and describe the incidence and mechanism of injuries that occurred to judoka at a South African national tournament. Therefore the objectives of the study were to determine the following: To describe and compare the type and incidence of injuries occurring at a South African national championship in respect of three different age groups as well as gender; To describe and compare the types of mechanisms occurring at a South African national championship in respect of three different age groups as well as gender; To describe and determine the treatment methods used by judoka at a South African national championship. To determine and describe the training methods of judoka and the potential impact on incidence of injuries at the relevant national judo championship. To achieve the aims and objectives set out in the present study, the literature regarding injury incidence and mechanisms causing those injuries were reviewed along with other martial arts, in order for comparisons to be made within judo and other martial arts. To evaluate and describe injury in judo an exploratory-descriptive epidemiological approach was used in order to gather relevant data. The use of detailed questionnaires was used to capture information regarding physical preparation for the tournament along with a screening questionnaire that captured important data relating to injuries prior to competing in the South African national tournament. In order for the main aim of the study to be achieved an injury questionnaire was presented to all injured judoka who partook in the study at the tournament. This questionnaire captured critical information regarding the occurring injury and the mechanism responsible for the injury. Judoka sampled consisted of 141 judoka of which 110 were males and 31 were females. This sample size of judoka consisted of three age groups with each group representing a different age range. This allowed for the observation of more injuries but also allowed one to compare injuries obtained by younger judoka to that of older judoka. For the purposes of this study groups 4 (ages 14 to 16), 5 (ages 17 to 19) and 6 (ages 20 and older) were used. The reason for selecting these three age groups was due to the fact that they would be participating under international regulations with strangulations and armlocks allowed for in a fight. Group 4 consisted of 49 judoka; the smallest group studied was that of group 5 and consisted of 28 judoka with group 6 being the largest sampled group with 64 judoka. Of the 141 sampled judoka 103 injuries were recorded with males obtaining more injuries than that of female judoka. The results from the study were placed into table and graph formats and described via descriptive statistics. In order to explain the variation within groups inferential statistics as well as Cohen‟s d were utilised to determine both statistical and practical significances between the different age groups. When describing statistics via the use of frequency distribution tables, statistical significance was tested via Chi2 tests of independence, Cramér‟s V was utilized to determine practical significance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to determine intra-group differences with the F statistic reported for significant findings as it reports the variance of group means. The present study found that male judoka within their respective age groups competed in judo for a longer duration than that of females, that the older the judoka was the greater the likelihood that the judoka would have competed for a longer duration of time at a provincial level of judo with group 5 and 6 having competed on a provincial level longer than that of group 4 judoka. Over a 12 month period judoka sustained almost four minor injuries and less than one major injury on average. Females on average were found to have sustained more minor injuries over a period of a year than that of males. The results indicate that only 37.9 percent of judoka compete with existing injuries with more males (40.0 percent) participating with an existing injury compared to that of females at 31.5 percent. The time spent training the various judo components was similar across all three age groups with a statistically significant differences (F (1,81) =4.216, p=.043) found between the genders of group 4 males and females with males practicing more ne-waza a week. On average time spent doing gym work was 177.39 minutes a month with males training for a longer duration 192.69 minutes a month than that of females. Group 5 judoka spent the greatest time in a month doing gym training at 201.35 minutes a month. A gender difference was noted in upper body strength training (F (1,81) = 4.12, p =.046). Males favoured upper body strength training compared to that of females. A total of 103 (73.0 percent) of the sample group were injured once or more. Group 4 judoka (age 16 to 17) had the highest injury incidence for incurring a injury at least once at 75.5 percent. The injury incidence for groups 5 (age 18 to 19) and 6 (age 20 + years) for incurring at least one injury was 71.4 percent and 50.0 percent respectively. The results indicate that 72.7 percent of males reported at least one injury compared to 74.2 percent of females. The present study found that the head and neck (42.7 percent) followed by the upper body (34.0 percent) to be the anatomical regions with the highest incidence of injury. The upper body anatomical site most frequently injured as expected was the shoulder joint at 11.7 percent with the knee, the lower body site with the greatest incidence of injury. Cuts (38.8 percent) accounted for the largest proportion of injuries with the most occurring injury to males being that of a cut (45.6 percent) and sprains (37.5 percent) for females. A statistically significant difference was found between the two genders in relation to the types of occurring injuries, with a moderate practical significance noticed (Chi2 (4) = 12.33, p = .015, V = 0.35). The major mechanisms of injury to the judoka was throwing / being thrown (35.5 percent) and impacts / collisions with other judoka (33.9 percent). These mechanisms of injury were also identified as the major mechanisms leading to injury in both genders. A total of 17.7 percent of fights were terminated due to injury with fewer males (14.5 percent) having fights terminated due to a serious injury compared to that of females (29.0 percent). A statistically significant difference was found between the two genders in relation to the termination of fights due to injuries with a small practical significance noticed with (Chi2(1) = 7.93, p = .005, V = 0.19). The most identified treatment at the tournament for judo was that of icing the injured area. Male judoka indicated 36.4 percent of injuries were treated with ice with females treating 36.0 percent of their injuries with ice. Males indicated that the return to the sport after becoming injured was less (0.75 weeks) than that of females (1.71 weeks) and a statistically significant difference was found between the genders and recovering from injury (F (1,81) = 4.22, p = .043, d = 0.41).

The aim of the study was to explore, describe and compare the impact of a 12-week intervention on selected physical fitness variables in sub-elite martial artists. The experimental group (expG) participated in a combination of alternating dojo and gymnasium-based resistance training, each bi-weekly, with the comparison group (comG) exclusively undergoing four conventional dojo training sessions weekly. The variables measured included; anthropometric measures (height, body mass and percentage body fat); functional core muscular endurance; hamstring flexibility; upper body muscular strength and endurance; lower body muscle strength; and static balance. A quasi-experimental research design was employed, with pre - and post - test assessments after a 12 week intervention period. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed from existing dojo’s in Port Elizabeth, with a randomised allocation of participants into two groups. The gymnasium-based training programme was designed according to the national conditioning and strength association (NCSA) principles of resistance training. The identified variables were tested at a 95% level of probability (p < 0.05). Similar trends in performance improvement were evident for both the expG and compG in of the majority of the selected physical fitness variables. One-way, two-sample and independent t-tests analysis found no statistical significant intra- group or inter-group differences in any of the selected dependant variables for both groups. Thus, the supplemental resistance training programme was not superior to that of the conventional dojo training programme in improving aforementioned variables. Despite the lack of statistical significance, these results indicate that a structured and supervised resistance training programme in a gymnasium may serve as an alternative method of intervention for improving physical fitness in sub-elite mixed martial artists. The resistance training programme should be specifically adapted according to the individual practitioner’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as to the type of martial art being practised.

Adherence to physical activity has received a great deal of attention in research literature due to the positive effects it has on many health problems and mood. Despite these benefits, adherence in physical activity programs is beset by high attrition rates. The present study focused on a tae kwon do sample in which attrition at the beginning level is high. The purpose of this study was to assess a relationship between selected variables and adherence of the beginning students. Forty-three subjects (27 male: 16 female) participated in the study. The average age was approximately 21, with a range from 18 to 47. The sample was collected from three university sites which were part of the American Moo Duk Kwan Society, a university based, tae kwon do club. Participants voluntarily completed a questionnaire packet that included the following: a demographics form, an assessment of level and strength of self-efficacy, an assessment of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and a measure of time, effort, and obstacle barriers. Significant correlations were found between level of self-efficacy and both dependent variables (hours of attendance and participation in the promotional belt test). In addition, strength of self-efficacy was correlated with participation at the promotional belt test; and the time barrier measure was correlated with hours of attendance. These findings suggest that self-efficacy plays a significant part in adherence of participants in tae kwon do. Further research should be conducted to assess the possible causal relationship of these variables.

The popularity of capoeira, a dance based in the martial arts and originating among slaves in Sixteenth-Century Brazil, has increased greatly in recent decades as it has spread worldwide as a performance representative of Brazilian history and culture. In 1974, capoeira was declared the national sport of Brazil. Today capoeira academies and competitions may be found wherever Brazilian culture is celebrated and communicated in many major foreign cities. My thesis, through the participant/observer method and the use of long interviews, examines capoeira as it is practiced in one particular academy far from the art form's place of origin. In the tradition of the cultural studies branch of communication, my thesis analyzes the movements, manners, and fashions of capoeira. I conclude that capoeira constitutes a cultural communication that has evolved from its roots in human slavery, suffering, and rebelliousness to a modern-day expression of athleticism, art, and community-building.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2002. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Arts. Bibliography: leaves [306]-320.

Introduction: Wushu, Chinese martial art, consists of modern and traditional groups of styles. Previously it was researched that modern and traditional martial arts have different outcomes. Since traditional wushu is said to be rooted in Chinese values, its environment is a unique place to research psychological collectivism. Moreover, mental toughness is a new topic in the field of martial arts, and its connection with psychological collectivism was only researched on the society, not personality level. Methods: This mixed methods research consisted of qualitative Study 1 and quantitative Study 2. Study 1 aimed to understand, what is the experience of psychological collectivism in traditional wushu training. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight European adult participants of traditional wushu and were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In the Study 2, 277 European adult respondents (111 modern wushu and 166 traditional wushu practitioners) filled in the Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire and Psychological Collectivism Questionnaire. To research the relationship of practicing modern or traditional wushu with psychological collectivism and mental toughness, several steps were taken. First, the Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were run to test both models. Next, the final model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Model comparisons, path analysis and effects were completed. Results: In Study 1, five themes emerged from the data. The first described how kung fu (traditional wushu) provided structure and direction for the interviewees. Also, it described how practitioners better adapted to the outer world and their ability to switch from being gentle to being ruthless. The second theme described perception of time. The third one explored the kung fu community, provided a probe into the group identity, and looked at how positioning closer to the master provided better learning options; the community served as the knowledge keeper. The fourth theme explored bridging gaps in communication. Finally, the fifth theme discovered seriousness of the practitioners, who had to endure mentally and physically torturous training. In Study 2, during the structural equation modeling the final model was confirmed as well as differences in the two groups of modern and traditional wushu. Moreover, it was found, that the number of joined competitions or years of training did not result in a significant path with mental toughness, but perceived level of skill did. The relationship between psychological collectivism and mental toughness was found only in the traditional wushu group, limited to a marginal p level. Conclusion: Psychological collectivism was explored in traditional wushu and helped to understand the structure and functioning of the wushu community. The seriousness of its members served as a commodity, to negotiate better position in the group. In the quantitative study, this seriousness seemed to be connected with the perceived level of skill. This variable resulted in the significant path with mental toughness. It is suggested that the social environment of the serious practitioners, who put themselves through demanding training, helped to develop mental toughness. This development is not based on the number of years in training, but rather on the way the practitioners perceive themselves.

The purpose of this study was to determine kinetic and kinematic characteristics of Thai Boxing Roundhouse Kicks. In order to measure the kinetic variables of peak force and impulse, a triaxial accelerometer was inserted into a kicking bag. The force data were derived from the known mass and measured acceleration of the kicking bag. Validation testing comparing applied forces to estimated forces based on accelerometers output showed this instrument provided accurate estimates of the force applied to the kicking bag (r=.99). The MacReflex motion analysis system was utilized with three cameras operating at 120 frames per second to obtain the kinematic characteristics of final linear velocity of the kicking ankle, linear velocity of the kicking ankle and knee, angular velocity of the knee, and the angular velocity of the shank and thigh projected onto the horizontal plane. The subjects were ten male Thai Boxing performers with 8 to 48 months of training experience. The kicking trials were conducted at three height levels. It was hypothesized that the peak force, impulse, and the final linear velocity of the kicking ankle at impact would be greater for the lower level of kicks as compared to the higher level of kicks. It was also hypothesized that peak force and impulse would be positively related the subjects' leg strength. For the relationship between kinetic variables and kinematic variables it was hypothesized that peak force and impulse would be positively related to the final linear velocity of the kicking ankle. In comparing the roundhouse kick at different height levels the middle level kick generated the greatest peak force and impulse, while the high level kick involved the least force and impulse. The amount of peak force and impulse were directly related to the final velocity of the ankle (r=.86, and r=.79 respectively), but they were not significantly related to the leg strength. This study found that the Thai Boxing roundhouse kick can easily generate enough force to cause neurological impairment, skull fractures, facial bone fractures, and rib fractures. These results suggest that there is a greater need for regulations protecting the competitors in Thai Boxing. / Graduation date: 1997

For hundreds of years, supporters of the traditional Martial Arts have spoken of the ability to promote the personal development of the practitioner through serious training practices (Lu, 2008). The connection between personal development and mind-body training practices is illustrated in the Japanese concept of budo, which applies generally to “those Martial Arts that have more than a combat dimension” (Lawler, 1996, p.9). While the physical training is similar to other forms of combat (such as boxing or military training), it is the philosophical focus of the training as a form of personal development that makes budo a unique characteristic of certain forms of Martial Arts practice. The current study attempts to examine the way in which training in the Martial Arts affects the overall lifestyle of the individual. Understanding the main relationship between Martial Arts participation and personal wellbeing, and how this is influenced by the identity of the participant, represents the central focus of the current study. While the main relationship being studied is the one between Martial Arts participation and well-being, there are several l factors at play in influencing this central relationship. Given the unique connection of mind and body in the practice of the Martial Arts, one factor that influences the relationship between Martial Arts participation and well-being is the spirituality of the individual practitioner. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Martial Arts participation and well-being, and to investigate how this central relationship is influenced by the associated concepts of identity, spirituality, serious leisure, motivation, and involvement. This study found that although Martial Arts participation displayed significant power in predicting wellbeing scores, the psycho-social factors associated with the training experience heavily shaped this relationship. The results of this study also suggest that it is not the style of Martial Arts participation, but the way the individual engages with the act of training and incorporates it into their daily life that separates individuals.

The ancient practice of Chinese Martial Arts Science is profound. With the changing times and busy commercial society, most of martial arts have faced the crisis of disappearing and failing to pass down to new generations. However, with the continuous development of science and technology and the conveniences brought by the Internet, using e-learning to teach martial arts has become a trend and it has proven to be a very effective way. If the experiences and knowledge of the elder masters' martial art could be preserved with the assistance of scientific approach of applying e-learning through the Internet and multimedia information technology, the martial arts online courses could be systematically developed so as to help promote the conservation of Chinese Martial Art science. This study attempts to use the latest development of Jeet Kune Do of Martial Arts as an example to convert the actual face-to-face course teaching into a mode of distant-learning based on e-learning. Action research approach will be used in our study. Any Martial Art can be classified into three parts: 1. regulation framework, 2. subject theme technology and 3. kung fu skill; based on these three parts, we then identified what can be implemented online and what are still required Face-to-face instruction. We adopted the imagery practice as the basis and theory to create audio-visual teaching material for the online course. Through a six-week experimental course and three cycles of action research by applying the four main steps of planning, action, observation and reflection. To be able to make adequate revision for the next action plan we interviewed instructors and learners for reflections and inputs which consequently draw up the crucial impact and conclusion on applying e-learning to Martial Arts teaching.