Beyond the Dojo: The Dual Impact of Martial Arts on Personal and Social Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58210/ri3686Keywords:
Martial arts, human behavior, emotional self-regulation, phenomenological approachAbstract
This study analyzes the impact of martial arts practice on human behavior from a qualitative approach. Its aim was to identify the positive and negative effects of such practice on emotional self-regulation, aggressiveness, confidence, and social skills of practitioners. The methodology included semi-structured interviews with seven martial arts instructors with diverse trajectories, whose testimonies were analyzed through a phenomenological approach. The results show that martial arts foster discipline, emotional self-regulation, and personal security, while simultaneously enhancing social interaction and mental clarity. However, risks associated with ego, poorly managed aggressiveness, and the possibility of dropout due to pain or frustration are observed. The instructor's role and the approach of the discipline (traditional or competitive) emerge as mediating factors in these effects. It is concluded that martial arts constitute an effective tool for personal and social development, provided that ethical aspects are considered and training is adapted to individual needs.
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