Investigating aggression control in combat training among college physical education students
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of combat sports training on aggression control among second-year college students registered in a physical education course. It used a mixed-methods longitudinal design that combined quantitative and qualitative techniques. A total of 132 (68 men and 64 women) second-year college students enrolled in a physical education program participated. Every participant had a course in combat sports included in their course of study. Aggression levels were measured using a mixed-methods approach combining semi-structured interviews to probe participants' emotional experiences with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ).
Repeated measures ANOVA particularly in hostility (-12.5%, κ2=0. 201\eta^2 = 0. 201η2=0. 201, and physical aggression (-9.8%, κ2=0. 149\eta^2 = 0. 149η2=0. 149), indicated significant decreases in overall aggression (-8.2%, κ2=0.178\eta^2 = 0.178η2=0. 149). Although with a smaller size, verbal hostility and anger also dropped. Qualitative and quantitative findings suggest that combat sports training can reduce aggression and improve emotional control, stress management, and self-discipline. Some students, however, reported increased frustration and competitiveness, indicating individual differences. These results support including structured combat sports in physical education to enhance students’ emotional regulation.
Downloads
-
Abstract24
-
PDF33
References
1. Basiaga-Pasternak, J., Szafraniec, L., Jaworski, J., & Ambrozy, T. (2020). Aggression in competitive and non-competitive combat sports athletes. Ido Movement for Culture, 20(2), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.14589/ido.20.2.3
2. Cunha, O., Peixoto, M., Cruz, A. R., & Gonçalves, R. A. (2022). Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire: Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance among Portuguese Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49(3), 451–467. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548211050113
3. Kostorz, K., & Sas-Nowosielski, K. (2021). Aggression Dimensions among Athletes Practising Martial Arts and Combat Sports. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696943
4. Lafuente, J. C., Zubiaur, M., & Gutiérrez-García, C. (2021). Effects of martial arts and combat sports training on anger and aggression: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 58(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2021.101611
5. Martín-Rodríguez, A., Gostian-Ropotin, L. A., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Belando-Pedreño, N., Simón, J. A., López-Mora, C., Navarro-Jiménez, E., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024). Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health. Sports, 12(1), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12010037
6. McCrae, R. R., & Sutin, A. R. (2018). A Five–Factor Theory Perspective on Causal Analysis. European Journal of Personality, 32(3), 151–166. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2134
7. Mickelsson, B. T. (2021). Brazilian jiu-jitsu as social and psychological therapy: a systematic review. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21(3), 1544-1552.
8. Mickelsson, B. T., & Hansson, E. (2021). Exchange punches, not bullets: reconciliation through combat sports. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 21(1), 47–55.
9. Moore, B., Dudley, D., & Woodcock, S. (2020). The effect of martial arts training on mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 24(4), 402–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.017
10. Predoiu, R., Makarowski, R., Görner, K., Predoiu, A., Boe, O., Ciolacu, M. V., Grigoroiu, C., & Piotrowski, A. (2022). Aggression in martial arts coaches and sports performance with the COVID-19 pandemic in the background—A dual processing analysis. Archives of Budo, 18, 23–36.
11. Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., Oesterle, S., Hill, K. G., Hawkins, J. D., & Pashak, T. J. (2016). The dimensions of successful young adult development: A conceptual and measurement framework. Applied Developmental Science, 20(3), 150–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2015.1082429
12. Sharma, A., & Purashwani, D. P. (2021). Relationship between selected psychological variables among trainees of combat sports. Journal of Sports Science and Nutrition, 2(1), 01–03. https://doi.org/10.33545/27077012.2021.v2.i1a.25
13. Tepe, V., Yarnell, A., Nindl, B. C., Van Arsdale, S., & Deuster, P. A. (2016). Women in Combat: Summary of Findings and a Way Ahead. Military Medicine, 181(1), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00409
14. Tetiana, P., Vladimir, P., Vladyslava, S., Perepelytsia, A., Tetiana, B., Igor, F., Korobeynikova, L., Tolkunova, I., & Konyayeva, L. (2021). Manifestations of aggression in elite athletes. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21(2), 797–802.
15. Vertonghen, J., & Theeboom, M. (2013). How to obtain more insight into the true nature of outcomes of youth martial arts practice?. Journal of Children's Services, 8(4), 244-253.
16. Zhu, Y., Li, J., Zhang, M., Li, C., Lau, E. Y. H., & Tao, S. (2022). Physical activity participation and physical aggression in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 63, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102288
17. Ziemba, A., Adamczyk, J. G., Barczak, A., Boguszewski, D., Kozacz, A., Dąbrowski, J., Steczkowska, M., Pepłońska, B., & Żekanowski, C. (2020). Changes in the Hormonal Profile of Athletes following a Combat Sports Performance. BioMed Research International, 2020(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9684792
The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013
2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.
3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.
The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013
2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.
3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.
