Perceived vulnerability and control of martial arts and physical fitness students

Anecdotal reports and limited research suggest that enrolling in self-defense courses can enhance feelings of control and reduce feelings of vulnerability; however, much self-defense is taught in the context of martial arts courses. To assess the effects of martial arts courses on perceptions of vulnerability and control, 83 students in physical fitness and 59 students in martial arts courses at 10 randomly chosen large universities responded to questionnaires. Martial arts students scored lower on control, higher on vulnerability, and higher on perceived likelihood of being injured than fitness students while enrolled in their courses. A year later, regardless of whether they had continued training, they scored higher on control and lower on vulnerability. Neither gender nor prior history of assault was related to responses. Enrolling in martial arts courses may not enhance people's feelings of control, at least in the initial stages of training.