Term of Award

Spring 2008

Degree Name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Daniel R. Czech

Committee Member 1

Jonathan Metzler

Committee Member 2

Stephen Rossi

Committee Member 3

George Shaver

Committee Member 3 Email

gwshaver@GeorgiaSouthern.edu

Abstract

Past research dealing with power sports has dealt mainly with the effects of participation in such sports as boxing and wrestling (Endresen & Olweus, 2005). Results have shown that participation in such sports has led to an increase and enhancement of violent and nonviolent antisocial behavior outside of sport (Endresen & Olweus, 2005; Bloom & Smith, 1996). The sport psychology literature has thus far failed to encompass the lived experience or possible themes that arise that stem from being a part of this culture. The purpose of this study was to examine the amateur Mixed Martial Arts athlete and their experience with mental skill usage in both training and competing. This study utilized existential phenomenological methodology and a humanistic framework. Data was collected from a purposeful sample of six amateur MMA fighters. Results were analyzed to uncover possible common themes experienced by the amateur MMA athlete.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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