2020, Volume 16, Issue 1
Personality profile of athletes who declare that they train kyokushin karate as a martial art
Paweł Piepiora1, Maciej Kozak1, Kazimierz Witkowski1
1University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
Author for correspondence: Paweł Piepiora; University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland; email: pawel.piepiora@awf.wroc.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Martial arts shape the character of practitioners, while combat sports rely on the direct clash of two competing athletes. The aim of the study was the knowledge about the personality profile of people training kyokushin karate as a martial art.
Material and Methods: Twenty nine athletes (14 men and 15 women) between 18 and 54 years old, holders of degrees from 9 kyu to 4 dan were examined. All respondents declared that they train kyokushin karate as a martial art. The Personality Inventory NEO-FFI was used to measure personality.
Results: Women are characterized by a significantly higher level of neuroticism and agreeableness than men. Personality profiles of men and women practicing kyokushin karate are distinguished by low neuroticism, high extraversion and conscientiousness, and average openness to experience and agreeableness.
Conclusions: The personality profile of people training kyokushin karate as a martial art is a typical personality profile of combat sports athletes. Despite the adopted philosophy of kyokushin karate martial arts training, the personality of adepts is typical for athletes – it is shaped by sport activity. Differences among kyokushin karatekas occurred between personality profiles of men and women; but they still keep the same profile sketch typical for athletes (combat sports). The differences in personality traits of kyokushin karate practitioners are determined probably by gender.
Key words: gender, combat sports theory, \"Big Five\", sport psychology
