Exploring Motivations of Taekwondo Athletes/Students in New York City

Abstract

This study explored what reasons/factors can truly motivate athletes/students to continually participate in taekwondo practices and competitions in New York City (NYC). Participants were 85 taekwondo athletes/students (51 Boys, 34 Girls; age range 10-22 years) from seven taekwondo schools/clubs in NYC. Data collection was done by the Adapted Questionnaire of Taekwondo Student's Motivation (AQTKDSM). This questionnaire asked, "What reasons/factors motivate you to participate in taekwondo practices and competitions continually?" with 18 motivation factors (MF) provided; each MF allows the participant responding in a 5-points Likert type scale (5

Exploring Buyer Motivation to Improve Management, Marketing, Sales, and Finance Practices in the Martial Arts Industry

“…The study identified themes describing perceptions aligned with TPB beliefs: (a) normative beliefs, (b) control beliefs, and (c) behavioral beliefs that contribute to intention (Ajzen, 2013;Ajzen & Klobas, 2013). Study findings validate research exploring adult martial arts participation motivation, specifically physical fitness and self-defense (Cynarski, 2012;Vences de Brito et al, 2015;Witkowski et al, 2013;Zeng et al, 2015).…”

“…Researchers have observed that rapid growth in the martial arts industry has created a number of complex changes in the business environment, including increased competitiveness, changes in the balance of market supply and demand, evolving customer needs and wants, and dynamic market demands for new products and services (Nelson, 2013, Oh & Lee, 2015Reese 2015;Zeng et al, 2015). In the past, traditional martial arts instructors have been unwilling to adapt to customer needs and wants and have been reticent or unwilling to change their product offerings (Ko, 2003).…”

“…However, Cynarski's (2012) assertions were based on a brief literature review of outcomes and personal experience rather than direct research and interviews. Zeng et al (2015) found the motivational factors for participating in taekwondo competitions to be physical fitness, enjoyment, self-defense, and education.…”

“…While there is a plethora of information in popular media about the benefits of martial arts, researchers examining such benefits for martial arts participation have yielded mixed findings, ranging from general social benefits to negative outcomes, such as enhanced aggression (Ball & Martin, 2012, Cynarski, 2013Vertongen & Theeboom, 2010;Zeng et al, 2015).…”

“…Rapid growth has attracted large industry players to this market and has created intense market competition (Greenwell et al, 2015;Hall & Ryan, 2013;Oh & Lee, 2015;Nelson, 2013;Reese, 2015). Traditional martial arts firms struggle to understand customer needs and to adapt to new market conditions due to a lack of historical interest determining and meeting customer needs, limited research identifying customer purchase motivation, and an absence of tools to measure and identify market demand (Kim, Zhang, Jackson et al, 2013;Wasik, 2014;Zeng et al, 2015). Their struggle has resulted in a 41% decrease in martial arts schools in the United States, from 14,500 in 2007 to 8,533 in 20158,533 in (InfoUSA, 2015.…”