Mental Cage: A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Game in the Sport of Mixed Martial Arts

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Year dc:date.available

2008

Author dc:creator

• Harpold, Matthew E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jonathan Metzler
• Stephen Rossi
• George Shaver

• ETD
• Mixed martial arts
• Confidence
• Arousal
• Discipline
• Motivation

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/97

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1097