As mindfulness is often synonymous with equanimity, the intensity of competitive mixed martial arts serves as an ideal domain in exploring the underlying cognitive process of mindfulness in enhancing performance. Within the past two decades, interest has peaked in the positive outcomes that mindfulness produces in alleviating negative symptoms in health and clinical settings. Little research exists however in exploring the cognitive processes involved in producing the potential benefits of performance enhancement. The aim of the study was to gain a better understanding of the underlying cognitive processes involved in the workings of mindfulness; exploring whether increased levels of mindfulness would be positively correlated with increased martial arts ability. Using correlational analysis and standard multivariate regression, the participating fighters’ (n=46) levels of mindfulness were analysed in relation to their mixed martial artist’s ability. Results from correlational analysis showed that overall mindfulness was positively correlated with mixed martial arts ability, as a result confirming the study’s primary hypothesis. Results from standard multivariate regression further identified a fighter’s age as being a significant predictor for mixed martial arts ability. / Mini dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria 2016. / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted

Title: Dependence of somatotype and fitness condition in martial arts. Thesis aim: Main aim of this thesis is to find out mutual dependence among tracked variables - placed in ranking list and UNIFITTEST (6-60). Methods: For theoretical part of thesis the author used method of analysis and synthesis of specialized literary sources. In practical part the main method used was regression analysis. Method according to Heath-Carter was used to assessment somatotype. Towards evaluation of kinetic performance and efficiency was used UNIFITTEST (6-60). Results: Results from research show us that during the research of mutual dependencies it hasn't proved any link between tracked variables and place in ranking list UNIFITTEST (6-60). Considering measured values judo athletes are in category endomorphic mesomorphic and karate athletes are in category well-balanced mesomorphic. Keywords: somatotype, martial arts, karate, judo, UNIFITTEST (6-60)

Denna studie handlar barn och ungdomar upplevelser av sitt deltagande i kampsportsprojektet Golden Life av idrottsföreningen Golden Leaf. Uppsatsen har utförts på ett kvalitativts sätt där barn och ungdomar slumpmässigt har valts ut genom att delta via semistrukturerande intervjuer. Ändamålet med studien är att tolka och förstå de barn och ungdomar som har deltagit i ett kampsportsprojekt under hösten 2017. Hur var deras upplevelse under tiden som de deltog och hur gick det sedan när projektet avslutades. Frågeställningen för denna uppsats blir således hur kampsportsprojektet fungerade som socialisations arena. Den teori jag använder mig av är situerat lärande från Lave och Wenger (1991) där social inlärning kan appliceras på ett idrottsfenomen för hur människor anammar instruktioner och hur inlärning sker i socialt sammanhang i relation till sitt idrottsutövande. Men även legitima perifera deltagandet som handlar om hur man tar till sig kunskap där kunskapsbyggandet inte är det viktigaste utan förmågan att lära sig genom att ta in kunskap i en grupp som redan är etablerade i det som ska utövas. På så vis skapas legitimitet och det är inom denna ram som man lär sig det som ska genomföras.Resultatet i denna undersökning utgår från respondenternas egna berättelser där en analys görs i relation till teorin och i viss mån den tidigare forskningen som berör idrott och integration i relation till den sociologiska processen. Resultatet utifrån insamling av empirin visar även hur det finns samband mellan vad intervjudeltagarna beskriver i relation till teorin Legitimt perifert deltagande. Sambandet är tydligt för hur man beskriver utövandet av träningen. Där kampsportmiljön och omgivningens struktur av tränare och andra medlemmar i föreningen tydligt kan kopplas ihop med teorin. Genom att föreningen är öppna mot andra människor även om de inte tillhör den ordinarie verksamheten och bjuder in till deltagande. Detta medför att deltagarna känner sig välkomnade vilket leder till att man deltar och lär sig kampsport. / Abstract This study involves the experiences of children and adolescents with regard to their participation in the Golden Life martial arts project of the Golden Leaf Sports Association. I have conducted qualitative research, in which I have randomly selected children and adolescents who have then participated in semi-structured interviews. The purpose of this study is to understand how children and adolescents experienced the martial arts project in the fall of 2017, and what happened to the participants after the project was over. The question of this paper thus becomes how the martial arts project served as an arena of socialization. The theory used is situational learning from Lave and Wenger (1991) in which social learning used in athletic contexts can be applied to people embracing instructions. Futhermore this theory relates to how physical activity in a social context facilitates learning. But also legitimate peripheral participation that deals with how to acquire knowledge where knowledge building is secondary to the ability to learn and acquiring knowledge in a group already established. In such a way, legitimacy is created and it is within this framework that one learns what is going to be performed.The result of this study is based on the respondents own stories, where an analysis is made in relation to the theory and, to a certain extent, the previous research relating to sport and integration in relation to the sociological process. The result from the gathering of the data also shows how there is a connection between what the interviewees described in relation to the theory of legitimate peripheral participation. The resemblance between how the excercise is described and the actual training is easily identified. The martial arts environment and the environment's structure of coaches and other members of the association can be clearly linked to the theory. Due to the association being open to other people, even if they do not belong to the regular business they do invite others for participation. This means that the participants feel welcome, which leads to the participation and learning of martial arts.

During the late Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, fighting books—Fechtbücher—were produced in northern Italy, among the German states, in Burgundy, and on the Iberian peninsula. Long dismissed by fencing historians as “rough and untutored,” and largely unknown to military historians, these enigmatic treatises offer important insights into the cultural realities for all three orders in medieval society: those who fought, those who prayed, and those who labored. The intent of this dissertation is to demonstrate, contrary to the view of fencing historians, that the medieval works were systematic and logical approaches to personal defense rooted in optimizing available technology and regulating the appropriate use of the skills and technology through the lens of chivalric conduct. I argue further that these approaches were principle-based, that they built on Aristotelian conceptions of arte, and that by both contemporary and modern usage, they were martial arts. Finally, I argue that the existence of these martial arts lends important insights into the world-view across the spectrum of Medieval and early Renaissance society, but particularly with the tactical understanding held by professional combatants, the knights and men-at-arms. Three treatises are analyzed in detail. These include the anonymous RA I.33 Latin manuscript in the Royal Armouries at Leeds; the early German treatise attributed to Hanko Döbringer that glosses the great Johannes Liechtenauer; and the collection of surviving treatises by the Friulian master, Fiore dei Liberi. Each is compared in order to highlight common elements of usage that form the principles of the combat arts.

Individuals who experience a traumatic event may have an adverse emotional reaction that negatively impacts their quality of life. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the influence of training in the martial arts as an intervention in the treatment of interpersonal trauma. The biopsychosocial model provided the framework for the study. The research questions addressed the effects of training in the martial arts and the biological, psychological, and social functioning of individuals who had sustained a form of interpersonal trauma. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 9 participants. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's modified van Kamm method. Findings indicated that martial arts training was transformative and positive for participants. Benefits included mentorship, a sense of achievement, increased confidence, better parenting, and recovery from substance abuse. Findings may be used to promote martial arts training as a treatment intervention for people who have experienced interpersonal trauma.

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between rapid weight loss and physical performance in combat sports athletes. The inclusion criteria were rapid weight loss and physical performance effects among combat sports researched in the last 20 years. Phrases, as well as keywords, were searched using multiple databases. The keywords included mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, studies that looked at multiple disciplines at once, and unspecified disciplines. Results of the literature review indicate that there are negative effects on performance due to rapid weight loss and dehydration in combat sports. Appendix I summarizes the data found. However, other literature has suggested no physical performance effects following a period of rapid weight loss. Determination at what percentage of body mass loss unequivocally affects physical performance measures and the threshold in which a certain athlete is likely to experience these effects is key. Factors that seem to influence the magnitude of measured performance effects include the length of recovery time following the period of rapid weight loss, the magnitude of body mass lost, as well as methods used to achieve weight loss. The results of this study may help provide insight into areas of research that are lacking data on this subject and may also provide helpful guidelines for combat sports athletes and trainers alike.

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This study is focused on representations of power and masculinities in the movie “Warrior”(2011). By using the notion of interdiscursivity, as discussed by Norman Fairclough, my goal isto analyze how the roles of the characters relate to existing discourses in today’s society. I amprimarily interested in discourses revolving around MMA-fighters, masculinities and familyrelations.The movie to be analysed in this study is suited for interpreting new sorts of masculinitiesthrough the sport of MMA, which itself is fairly new and therefore might represent a new type ofmasculinity in the making. To be able to analyse this in the best possible way, I will be looking atmasculinities using a perspective developed by the Australian sociologist Raewyn Connell. Byrelating to four different dimensions of masculinity, this theory enables me to interpret whichtypes of masculinities, or combinations thereof, are presented in the film.

This essay looks at the connection between the design and techniques of longswords. The longsword is perhaps the most iconic weapon of the late medieval and early modern period. However, there are few academic studies on how longswords were used. As well as the use of longswords in general the essay seeks to understand how certain characteristics like blade design or decor can offer clues to how specific swords may have been used. To find out how this kind of weapon was used 10 longswords from northern and central Europe was analysed in terms of design. As well as the longswords four historical fencing manuals from the holy roman empire were studied. The source material was chosen to reflect my own experience whit Germanic medieval/renaissance fencing. Combining study of artifacts and written sources gives this essay the opportunity to explore the several attributes pertaining to the use longswords. As well as examining the books and swords several of the techniques in the manuals have been tested by me and Fencers of Wisby historiska fäktskola.  The study of the source material as well as the tests of the techniques reveal the construction of a sword had an impact on how it can be used. Certain design like the shape of the blade, crossguard and pommel change what techniques are more effective with a particular type of longsword. The early longwords for example seem to have had an emphasis on cutting whilst the later swords became more adapted for thrusting to combat armour. Some of the examined longswords appear to be ornamental and not intended for combat. The more ornamental longswords could however possibly have functioned as a weapon and a symbol at the same time. Sometimes the symbolism is emphasised but even in those cases the swords could often have been used as a weapon if desired or needed.

Martial arts (MA) and combat sports (CS) demand significant physical, mental, and emotional engagement in both training and competition. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), known for its intricate mastery requirements, operates within a performance-oriented climate where unmet goals can lead to diminished interest. Investigating the motivational drivers behind continued participation in BJJ is thus pertinent. This study aims to explore motivational factors among BJJ practitioners. A total of 70 participants, including 30 women (43.3%) and 40 men (56.7%) aged 15 to 60+, with training experience ranging from 0-1 year to 10+ years, completed the Sports Motivation Scale (SMS-6). The survey assessed factors influencing their engagement in BJJ. Analysis suggests that gender differences may contribute to variations in amotivation within the sport. Higher competitive experience participants valued factors like interest/enjoyment, competence, and fitness more than social status and appearance, unlike lower competitive experience participants. Notably, individuals with higher competitive experience exhibited lower motivational scores on the assessed subscale factors compared to lower competitive experience participants. The study's findings indicate that individuals with significant competitive experience attribute greater significance and commitment to their involvement in BJJ. Additionally, the results show that women exhibit a slightly lower amotivation score compared to men, suggesting a marginal decrease in mens enthusiasm for practicing the sport.