Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-19-2021
Abstract
This study examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on martial arts training worldwide. A mixed-method online questionnaire consisting of 28 items was used as a survey instrument. 306 martial artists responded. These were mainly from the United Kingdom, the USA, Germany, Italy and Japan. The questionnaire focused on pragmatic adaptations of training volume, training rhythm, training location, training mode (individual or group) and training methods. The survey sought to gain insights into modifications that martial artists made as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to their training, curriculum, alternative fitness, strength and health activities, as well as training goals. The results suggest that the training restrictions implemented by governments in order to try to combat the pandemic transformed the practice of martial arts on a massive and fundamental scale. Specifically, they led to two seemingly opposing developments: increasing digitisation and an increased focus on the importance of embodiment. The article concludes with a suggestion that these lines of development will mould the post-pandemic landscape of martial arts.
Recommended Citation
Meyer, M.J., Molle, A., Judkins, B.N. and Bowman, P., 2021. Martial Arts in the Pandemic. Martial Arts Studies, 11(11), pp.7–31. http://doi.org/10.18573/mas.134
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
This article was originally published in Martial Arts Studies, volume 11, issue 11, in 2021. http://doi.org/10.18573/mas.134
This scholarship is part of the Chapman University COVID-19 Archives.