Karate is known to enhance cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and self-regulation and to contribute to an overall behavior rehabilitation process. However, few data are available on the impact of practicing karate in adult prison inmates. The main objective of this research was to evaluate aggressive behavior, comparing prison inmates and club practitioners during karate practice. The level of aggressiveness was rated by observers during defined elements and training situations in karate classes held in France. Data were collected during 77 observations of 75 prison inmates (55 male and 20 female) in a prison setting, and 188 observations of 117 club practitioners (80 male and 37 female) in a club setting over a period of 26 months. Licit aggressiveness was graded by observers during launched actions, kiais , and bows, and the practice level (belts) was also considered. Interrater reliability of the observational measure was highly acceptable (Cohen κ = 1). Comparisons between female and male prison inmates and club practitioners were made using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U -test for independent samples. The results revealed that a higher level of aggressiveness was observed in both male and female club practitioners during launched actions and kiais than in prison inmate practitioners ( p < 0.001, small effect size). However, prison inmates (of both genders) showed a higher level of aggressiveness during bows ( p < 0.001, medium effect size). While the analyses showed no significant differences between genders, the level of karate practice was associated with distinct changes. Significant differences in observed aggressiveness were present only in beginners and in those with a low level of karate practice, whereas no differences in aggressiveness between prison or club practitioners were observed during karate practice in those with a high level of karate practice (black belt). However, these results must be interpreted with caution as there was no way to control the multiple factors that might also affect inmate behaviors in a correctional setting. We suggest that karate practice in prison may positively contribute to interactional behaviors.

Karate will be included in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as an additional sport. The inner logic of this activity includes a specific scoring system and way of modeling. Three hundred and nine bouts were observed in the competition context, which resulted in new perspectives on training and competition. The scoring of punches (43.7% of total scored points) and face kicks (37.9%) appears to be more significant (p ≤ 0.01) than that of body kicks (15.3%, p ≤ 0.01) and leg-sweeping (3.1%, p = 0.31). Penalties appear to be very significant and associated with victory when "scored" by the competitor against himself or herself (p ≤ 0.01). Competitors must score points and penalties. This zero-sum game induces a simple rivalry, whose purpose is domination and which must rely on a predefined strategy and initiative. Karatekas have to make decisions, such as when taking the risk to score points and penalties, whether or not they lead the score. Karatekas may decide to expose or protect themselves, create situations, or simply remain realistic and adhere to the plan. The question of decision making, which is central to this work, forces us to focus our future work on the notions of expectations and self-fulfilling prophecies.

À la maison d’arrêt de Fresnes, des détenus pratiquent le karaté. Si les bienfaits du sport en prison sont un principe admis, qu’en est-il des effets pédagogiques de la pratique d’un sport de combat en milieu carcéral ? L’analyse des conduites motrices agressives en karaté, cherche à vérifier si cette pratique apporte une régulation des affects, en comparant 188 observations réalisées en milieu associatif et 77 en détention. Ces observations discriminent l’agressivité licite, sur une échelle de valeurs graduées de -2 à 2 (sur la base d’indicateurs comportementaux objectifs annonciateurs du degré d’agressivité). Bousculant des idées reçues, les résultats révèlent que les karatékas associatifs (KA) sont plus agressifs – sur le plan « praxique » (1,71, écart-type (é-t) = 0,58) et « kinésique » (1,42, é-t = 0,81) – que les karatékas détenus (KD) – respectivement 0,86, é-t = 1,17 et 0,3, é-t = 1,08. De leur côté, les processus de civilité s’expriment sur des moyennes de -2 pour les KA contre - 0,81 pour les KD. Le karaté peut-il alors avoir une place en prison comme activité sportive ? La réponse semble affirmative. Sous réserve de processus ré-éducatif global, cette activité ne pouvant cependant garantir par elle-même solutionner le problème de la réinsertion.