Social Determinants of Attitudes towards Health in Martial Arts: comparison between combat sports and combat systems and martial arts practitioners

Background. The theoretical perspective for this research is inspired by Humanistic Theory of Martial Arts, the anthropology of martial arts, the sociology of health, and the sociology of physical culture/sociology of sport. Aim. This research poses two research problems. The first research problem attempts to determine the significance of the social dimension of martial arts participation, comparatively, in Poland, the Czech Republic and the United States of America. The second research problem seeks the social determinants of attitudes towards health - the behavioural component. Methods. Respondents (n = 112) were students of martial arts, combat sports and combat systems from the USA, Poland and the Czech Republic. A diagnostic survey was used - Questionnaire of Health Behavior of Martial Arts Students. The variables used for comparison in the chi-square tests were: education, types of martial arts, pro-health choices, cultural area and parental level of education. Results. Results showed that the level of education, cultural origin and health choices were not related to practising martial arts, combat sports and combat systems. Conclusions. The level of education did not affected respondents' decisions to engage in practising combat sports and combat systems or martial arts (non-contact). Parental educational level, which is related to the social background, is related to practising combat sports and combat systems or martial arts (non-contact). There are no differences between cultural origin with regard to practising combat sports and combat systems or martial arts (non-contact); 4) There are no differences between cultural origin of people practising combat sports and combat systems or martial arts (non-contact) and healthy lifestyles.