| Summary: | Combat sports have emerged as systems for self-defense, but in our century they are popular among much
wider group of practitioners. The aim of the study is to investigate the motives for practicing combat sports
among practitioners over 18 (competitors as well as non-competitors). New method for studying motivation
for participation in combat sport is introduced in order to cover wider spectrum of motives for participation.
Results. Most highly rated motives in the sample of 95 subjects (45 men and 50 women, aged 18-56,
Mean=27.4) are: 1. Positive emotions (incl. thrill); 2. Personal growth (incl. Self-confidence and Volition
development) 3. Aesthetics of the sport. At the bottom of the table (rejected motives) are: 1. Financial
motives; 2. Prestige. 3. Popularity of their sport. Affiliation is among the non-preferred motives.
Competitors rated higher than non-competitors: Competitiveness, Successes, Prestige (Ego strengthening),
Rewards, Risk and danger, Personal growth, Self-expression, Self-confidence, Meaning, Self-realization
(to become oneself), Aesthetics. Conclusion. Based on the analysis of the data, we recommend marketing
and coaching strategies for attracting previously inactive, new practitioners and for increasing practitioners'
satisfaction and hence their motivation as a whole.
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