Personality traits of athletes practicing eastern martial arts

Background and Study Aim: Among different forms of physical activity, eastern martial arts (EMA) are practiced by part of Polish population. Eastern Martial Arts have a diverse motor structure and rules of sport competition. Traditional karate (KT) is a non-contact sport while taekwondo (Ta) is a contact sport and Ta competitors wear body armours compromising blow impact. Karate kyokushin (KK) competitors do not wear body protectors, which increases the risk of injuries, especially head injuries, resulting from kicks. In aikido (Ai), joint locks and reap techniques are counteroffensive, but they are not body-destructive. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that young men practicing the aforementioned EMA differ in terms of selected personality traits. Material and Methods: The sample comprised males training KK, TK, Ta and Ai. Each group included 82 athletes (the total of 328 competitors). The mean age of the sample was 19-20 years and their training experience ranged from 5 to 8 years. In order to determine personality profile, two traits, namely: Impulsive-Sensation Seeking (Imp-SS) and Aggression-Hostility (Agg-Ho) assessed using Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and three traits, namely Neuroticism (Nu), Extraversion (Ex), Psychoticism (Ps) assessed using Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) were selected. Results: Among the four studied groups of EMA athletes, the highest mean values of empirical variables, namely: (Agg-Ho 5.0 ±3.32, Imp-SS 9.89 ±3.00 and Ps 7.87 ±4,96) were noted in KK group, while the lowest values obtained for Agg-Ho 4.67 ±2.34, Imp-SS 9.24 ±2.74, Ps 6.68 ±4.38) were noted in Ai group. The level of Agg-Ho in KK group was statistically significantly higher as compared with that obtained in Ai and KT groups. Moreover, significant between subject differences in the studied variables were noted in each group. Conclusions: The obtained indicators justify the conclusion that, according to social norms, the highest negative indicators of personality traits were obtained from KK group. A different personality profile was discovered in Ai group where more moderate physical forms of defensive workout are preferred. Thus, aikido and martial arts/com-bat sports preferring moderate and relatively moderate fighting techniques, referred to as life sports”, are recommended for effective enhancement of all health dimensions of survival ability.