Type of sport-and gender-related personality features in the case of injured martial arts athletes

Abstract

The aim of the research was to highlight the differences in personality features between martial artists who suffered moderate and/or severe injuries and athletes who suffered only minor sports injuries. A sample of 111 senior martial arts athletes (89 males and 22 females) took part in the study, from striking combat sports (boxing, kick-boxing, taekwondo and karate), grappling combat sports (jiu-jitsu and judo), and Mixed Martial Arts. The Romanian adaptation of the Makarowski’s Questionnaire for risk-taking behavior, the Romanian adaptation of the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Romanian adaptation of the Makarowski's Sports Aggression Questionnaire have been used. Using ANOVA statistical procedures the existing differences between groups (formed with respect to gender and type of sport practiced), in terms of aggression, resilience and risk-taking behavior were examined. Athletes who reported moderate and/or severe injuries (and are more resilient) tend to attack more, are looking for stimulating situations and assume less calculated risks, being, also, more willing to win regardless of the costs and even breaking the rules of the game.