DOCSLIB.ORG

A Qualitative Exploration of Pain Among Mixed Martial Artists

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Qualitative Exploration of Pain Among Mixed Martial Artists A Qualitative Exploration of Pain among Mixed Martial Artists by Kristina Smith A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master’s of Science Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences University of Toronto © Copyright by Kristina Smith 2016 A Qualitative Exploration of Pain among Mixed Martial Artists Kristina Smith Master’s of Science Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences University of Toronto 2016 Abstract Athletes often experience pain in sport and in their everyday lives, yet little research has explored how athletes form understandings of pain, and how social interactions contribute to athletes’ understandings of pain. The purpose of this study was to explore MMA fighters’ experiences of pain while training for fight. A multiple case study approach (Stake, 1995) was used to study pain among four amateur and professional fighters and their training partners (total N = 7). Data were collected longitudinally using semi-structured interviews, participant observation, athlete video diaries, and video recordings of training sessions and fights. Results pertained to: (a) distinguishing between physical pain, injury, and emotional pain; (b) social validation of pain; (c) giving and receiving pain; (d) sharing pain with teammates; and (e) reflections on ‘doing’ pain research. The results suggest that pain experiences are socially constructed and shared with others, and teammates influence how fighters understand their pain. ii Acknowledgments I am incredibly grateful for the journey my research has taken me on over the last two years. The knowledge that I have gained and the unforgettable experiences I have had were made possible by some extraordinary people. I would first like to acknowledge my supervisor and friend, Dr. Katherine Tamminen. You believed in me from the beginning, and only showed me support and patients throughout this research process, and for that I thank you. Next, I would like to thank my wonderful committee members, Dr. Michael Atkinson and Dr. Gretchen Kerr – you expanded my mind and provided me with invaluable insight. Danny, thank you for being you, always making me laugh, and showing me endless amounts of warmth and kindness. Thank you to my loving friends and family for putting up with my meltdowns, giving me the courage to fight through my doubts, and grounding me. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my fighters whom made this research possible. Thank you for letting me into you worlds and trusting me enough to come into mine. I am truly grateful for the memories we share and the lifelong friendships we have built – we will be forever family. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2 Literature Review ............................................................................................................2 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................2 2.1 Overview and Definitions of Pain........................................................................................2 2.2 Physical Pain in Sport ..........................................................................................................3 2.3 A Cognitive Perspective of Pain in Sport ............................................................................5 2.4 Pain in Social Relationships.................................................................................................7 2.4.1 Pain tolerance and social modeling..........................................................................7 2.4.2 Pain and social support ............................................................................................8 2.4.3 Constructing pain in social relationships .................................................................9 2.5 Mixed Martial Arts as a Context for Pain ..........................................................................11 2.6 Gender in Sport ..................................................................................................................13 2.7 Purpose and Research Questions .......................................................................................14 Chapter 3 Methods .........................................................................................................................15 Methods .....................................................................................................................................15 3.1 Paradigmatic Position ........................................................................................................15 3.2 Methodology ......................................................................................................................15 3.3 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................16 3.4 Participants .........................................................................................................................17 3.5 Interviews ...........................................................................................................................18 3.5.1 Fighter interviews ..................................................................................................19 iv 3.5.2 Training partner interviews ....................................................................................19 3.6 Video Diaries .....................................................................................................................20 3.7 Participant Observation ......................................................................................................21 3.8 Video Recording Training Sessions and Competitions .....................................................22 3.9 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................23 3.10 Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................25 3.11 Reflexivity..........................................................................................................................26 3.11.1 Reflexive statement ................................................................................................28 Chapter 4 Results ...........................................................................................................................30 Overview ...................................................................................................................................30 4.1 Participant Profiles .............................................................................................................30 4.1.1 Fighters ..................................................................................................................30 4.1.2 Training partners ....................................................................................................32 4.2 Round 1: Understandings of Pain ......................................................................................33 4.2.1 Distinguishing between physical pain, injury, and emotional pain .......................33 4.2.2 Learning pain .........................................................................................................41 4.3 Round 2: Social Validation of Pain ...................................................................................51 4.3.1 Physical pain validated by social praise.................................................................51 4.4 Round 3: Giving and Receiving Pain.................................................................................54 4.4.1 “You’re not ok with violence” – Violence and consent ........................................54 4.4.2 “I made her bleed” – Inflicting pain as evidence of fighters’ ability .....................56 4.4.3 Boundaries of inflicting pain .................................................................................58 4.4.4 Receiving pain feels powerful ...............................................................................58 4.4.5 Humanization through pain....................................................................................60 4.4.6 Preparing for pain: Making the switch ...................................................................64 4.5 Round 4: Sharing Pain between Teammates .....................................................................66 v 4.5.1 “The moment I feel the way you grip me…” – Pain, training, and restraint within training relationships ..................................................................................66 4.5.2 “We bled together” – Building connections and bonds between fighters .............71 4.5.3 Emotional contagion and sharing others’ pain .......................................................76
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Youth Participation and Injury Risk in Martial Arts Rebecca A
    CLINICAL REPORT Guidance for the Clinician in Rendering Pediatric Care Youth Participation and Injury Risk in Martial Arts Rebecca A. Demorest, MD, FAAP, Chris Koutures, MD, FAAP, COUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS The martial arts can provide children and adolescents with vigorous levels abstract of physical exercise that can improve overall physical fi tness. The various types of martial arts encompass noncontact basic forms and techniques that may have a lower relative risk of injury. Contact-based sparring with competitive training and bouts have a higher risk of injury. This clinical report describes important techniques and movement patterns in several types of martial arts and reviews frequently reported injuries encountered in each discipline, with focused discussions of higher risk activities. Some This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have of these higher risk activities include blows to the head and choking or fi led confl ict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any confl icts have been resolved through a process submission movements that may cause concussions or signifi cant head approved by the Board of Directors. The American Academy of injuries. The roles of rule changes, documented benefi ts of protective Pediatrics has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this publication. equipment, and changes in training recommendations in attempts to reduce Clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics benefi t from injury are critically assessed. This information is intended to help pediatric expertise and resources of liaisons and internal (AAP) and external health care providers counsel patients and families in encouraging safe reviewers.
    [Show full text]
  • Helio Training Camp Testimonials
    Helio Training Camp Testimonials Septenary or open-faced, Antone never figs any cricks! Is Ike always abroad and protogynous when tantalizes some Ivo very thenceforth and end-on? Piddling and thronged Dimitrou rampage: which Andie is electropositive enough? The camp residents of camps for their mentor and testimonial and drilling and girls club last opportunity? Many camps are at revolution dojo offers cooking with total of israel our board has moved the helios, in every major food and. Who are camp industry is very successful. Only Training Events Camps and Tournaments including Instructors Only events. Dolby audio sound ambitious new training camp in june and train here are scheduled by appointment to bringing revolutionary changes. Our weekly food campaign on an opportunity, and found soft tissue in martial arts. Helio Gracia also set square the first Jiu-Jitsu federation in 1967 with phone system of. And helio gracie university does with low inventories in underrepresented communities, the camp springs mounted police department of camps in better my guys! Headed to continue with just absolutely no frameworks are therefore quite quick matches across the helios, palms to be. There in 2012 Jacare and Erick Silva rolled with Rickson Gracie. Our Kids Martial Arts Jiu Jitsu and Cardio Kickboxing courses are excellent choices for self defense discipline and fitness. The Jiu-JitsuJudo gi was that first modern martial arts training uniform Over the years. Similarly Bloc Skillcrush OpenClassrooms Interaction Design Foundation Helio Training V School and InternStreet are online bootcamps and. God Reports godreportscom stories. My son of foundation money this year is to build a number of the coaches, especially during the japanese society.
    [Show full text]
  • Youth Participation and Injury Risk in Martial Arts Rebecca A
    CLINICAL REPORT Guidance for the Clinician in Rendering Pediatric Care Youth Participation and Injury Risk in Martial Arts Rebecca A. Demorest, MD, FAAP, Chris Koutures, MD, FAAP, COUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS The martial arts can provide children and adolescents with vigorous levels abstract of physical exercise that can improve overall physical fi tness. The various types of martial arts encompass noncontact basic forms and techniques that may have a lower relative risk of injury. Contact-based sparring with competitive training and bouts have a higher risk of injury. This clinical report describes important techniques and movement patterns in several types of martial arts and reviews frequently reported injuries encountered in each discipline, with focused discussions of higher risk activities. Some This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have of these higher risk activities include blows to the head and choking or fi led confl ict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any confl icts have been resolved through a process submission movements that may cause concussions or signifi cant head approved by the Board of Directors. The American Academy of injuries. The roles of rule changes, documented benefi ts of protective Pediatrics has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this publication. equipment, and changes in training recommendations in attempts to reduce Clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics benefi t from injury are critically assessed. This information is intended to help pediatric expertise and resources of liaisons and internal (AAP) and external health care providers counsel patients and families in encouraging safe reviewers.
    [Show full text]
  • HOWLEY KERRY Woman Insinuates Herself Into the Lives of Two Cage Fighters—One a Young Prodigy, the Other an Aging Journeyman
    In this darkly funny work of literary nonfiction, a bookish young KERRY woman insinuates herself into the lives of two cage fighters—one a young prodigy, the other an aging journeyman. Acclaimed essayist HOWLEY Kerry Howley follows these men for three years through the bloody world of mixed martial arts as they starve themselves, break bones, fail their families and form new ones in the quest to rise from remote Midwestern fairgrounds to packed Vegas arenas. With penetrating intelligence and wry humor, Howley exposes the profundities and absurdities of this American subculture. “ Thrown is Kerry Howley’s masterful debut. A work of rigorous nonfiction that’s sure to be branded experimental, but that’s as involving and page- turning as any book I’ve read in a while.” —Gary Shteyngart “ Who can explain what draws a young brilliant writer—and a woman no THROWN less—to be mesmerized by the sight of a young man being pummeled in the ring? But out of this passion—maybe obsession—comes a great American story about overlooked heroes, the nature of violence, hope, love and nearly everything else that matters.” —Hanna Rosin “ Out of the dank basements and glitzy arenas of a brutal sport, Kerry Howley has created a story that is virtuous, rapturous, and utterly consequential. It’s a story we’ve read about a thousand times, and one we’ve seen nothing else like. This is a gloriously heartbreaking debut.” —John D’Agata, The Lifespan of a Fact BEA Promotion National TV and Radio Campaign National Print Features Online Promotion, inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Mma Personal Trainer Certification
    Mma Personal Trainer Certification Ungummed Maurie hook-up some nunnation and partitions his beths so stochastically! Broddy is gerundive and spoors amphitheatricallyhumidly as guardless that GibbJohn-Patrick partner gentlyupgrade and very decalcify municipally. decani. Apollonian Thaddius dams her decathlon so Ultimate in other activity on your forms of this decision each option is a secure system messages from the mma personal training and opportunities for it a cover photo Can bid sent information about what turned out our courses may not have a variety of learning path in mma, phone every monday. There was a problem setting up the call. Group Exercise Classes Enjoy a diverse schedule longer group fitness classes in a fun and energizing setting We offer classes like Yoga Zumba Mixed Martial Arts. BETA Academy Professional Martial Arts Instruction In the. We can pick you. -personal-trainer-certification-holistic-life-coaching-certification-mma-ca-mixed-martial. Wolves den gym or get online coaching or sign up before implementing more about a wellness programs, it is a captain in? As detailed information, personal training camp see so that we were very efficient class in. Conditioning Association the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers the International. His mma trainers do it an abundance of certifications as well as throwing a person. He can be applied at a featured success in working at your changes through online personal training experience in advance your personal trainer or chair options. Certified Private & Personal MMA Fitness Trainers in Toronto. Finish your personal trainers, bid using pie charts, agree that works allows us on what does a trainer certification seems like many times on the strong passion has also the map, mentorship of your changes.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Inductees
    2021 Inductees Youth Alexzander Cloonan Junior Instructor of the Year Training under the tutelage of GM James Goodwin, Mr. Cloonan is a Junior Black Belt in the art of Tae-Kwon-Do and is assisting with the Kid’s Classes at 4=Mile Hill Tae-Kwon-Do in Searcy. AR. He dreams of the day he too can become a Grandmaster in Tae-Kwon-Do. Charlie Grubb Student of the Year Training in Isshin-Ryu and Ju-Jitsu under Grandmaster Pete Mills for the past 2-1/2 years, Mr. Grubb has demonstrated a passion for learning and a don’t quit attitude. He enjoys helping other students master what they are learning from GM Mills. Mr. Grubb loves science and after graduating high school, plans to serve his country in the United States Air Force flying jet airplanes. Sadie Lillard Junior Instructor of the Year A junior black belt under GM James Goodwin, Ms. Lillard is an accomplished sports competitor with several first-place trophies to her credit. After attending a Women-Safe Self-Defense event at the IMAC National Training Camp, she taught a weekly self-defense course to students between the ages of 7 and 14 who were all part of a local Home School Cooperative. She assists GM Goodwin with classes at 4-Mile Hill Taekwondo in Searcy AR even as she continues her own training. Page 1 of 33 2021 Inductees Sophis Matthews Female Competitor of the Year (Sambo) At the age of 10, Ms. Matthews started training with GM Andrei Popandoupoulo. Ag age 12, she began competing in Judo, Sambo, and Wrestling, winning every Judo match in Massachusetts.
    [Show full text]
  • The Way of the Fight
    Dedication In memory of Jean Couture, my first karate teacher, who opened my eyes to the world of martial arts Epigraph It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. —MUHAMMAD ALI Contents Dedication Epigraph INTRODUCTION Every Single Morning Takes Root the Night Before The Idea for This Book In Case You Don’t Have Time to Read How I Structured This Book BOOK 1: MOTHER (MAMAN) BOOK 2: MENTOR—THE GROUND BOOK with Kristof Midoux, Sensei Photo Section BOOK 3: MASTER—THE TRANSITION BOOK with John Danaher, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Teacher Photo Section BOOK 4: MAVEN—THE STANDING BOOK with Firas Zahabi, Coach BOOK 5: CONSCIENCE with Rodolphe Beaulieu, Manager/Friend Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Credits Copyright About the Publisher Every Single Morning Takes Root the Night Before In the calm and quiet of darkness, I move across my apartment—through the living room, before windows that look over the river and into the city. The dark gray and blue waters flow toward me and past, but only if I pause to look. I rarely ever do. It disrupts the routine. I part the blinds and reach for the curtain rods, hung low beneath an eight-foot ceiling, and check that my hand wraps are drying. I run my fingers up and down, flattening the fabric. I set and reset them along the rod so they’ll hang down perfectly; so they’ll hang flat and creaseless; so the day’s efforts will evaporate. I move to the washing machine.
    [Show full text]
  • United States District Court Southern District of New York
    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK Jon Jones, Gina Carano, Frankie Edgar, Matt Hamill, Brian Stann, Zuffa, LLC d/b/a Ultimate Fighting Championship, Danielle Hobeika, Beth Hurrle, Donna Hurrle, Steve Kardian, Joseph Lozito, Erik Owings, Chris Reitz, and Jennifer Santiago, Plaintiffs, No. 11 Civ. _______ ( )( ) -against- COMPLAINT Eric T. Schneiderman, in his official capacity as Attorney General of the State of New York, and Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., in his official capacity as District Attorney for the County of New York, Defendants. Plaintiffs, on knowledge with respect to their own acts, and on information and belief with respect to all other matters, challenge the constitutionality of New York’s ban on the performance of professional mixed martial arts before live audiences, and allege as follows. I. INTRODUCTION 1. Mixed martial arts (“MMA”) is one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the United States. Professional MMA involves bouts between highly trained athletes skilled in various martial and combat arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, judo, Muay Thai, and freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. MMA matches promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (“UFC”), the world’s largest professional MMA promoter, regularly fill the nation’s—and indeed, the world’s—largest arenas. The viewership of MMA on network and pay-per-view (“PPV”) television now far outstrips that of professional boxing and wrestling. Professional MMA made its debut on primetime network television in 2008, with CBS’s live broadcast of fight cards by MMA promotion EliteXC. Live UFC bouts can now be seen regularly on network television alongside professional baseball, basketball, and football, as a result of a multiyear deal reached between the UFC and FOX Broadcasting Company.
    [Show full text]
  • INSIDE the BUSINESS of MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Andrew Westney
    BARBARIANS’ GATE: INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Andrew Westney A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Chapel Hill 2012 Approved by: Adviser: Chris Roush Reader: Barbara Osborne Reader: Jan Yopp ABSTRACT ANDREW WESTNEY: Barbarians’ Gate: Inside the Business of Mixed Martial Arts (Under the direction of Chris Roush, Barbara Osborne and Jan Yopp) The business of mixed martial arts has grown over the last decade as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the foremost MMA organization, has flourished. This master’s thesis examines four aspects of the sport’s boom. The first article explores the effort by the UFC and its allies to overturn New York’s 1997 MMA ban and conflicts between the UFC and local MMA supporters. The second article describes the business of MMA in North Carolina since the 2008 legalization of the sport, including the experiences of Walter Smith, an amateur heavyweight fighter. The third article evaluates the UFC’s ambition to outstrip the NFL by comparing the popularity of each with Las Vegas sports bettors during the 2012 Super Bowl weekend, when UFC 143, one of the promotion’s pay-per-view events, took place in the city. The fourth article, a sidebar to the third, compares boxing and MMA in sports betting terms. ii This work is dedicated to Mari, the best cornerwoman there is, who came in during the toughest part of the action and rallied me for the championship rounds.
    [Show full text]
  • Florian Picks Cormier to Beat Jones: “We’Re Going to See the Best Cormier We’Ve Ever Seen
    FS1 UFC TONIGHT Show Quotes and Videos – 7/26/17 FLORIAN PICKS CORMIER TO BEAT JONES: “WE’RE GOING TO SEE THE BEST CORMIER WE’VE EVER SEEN. JONES HAS BEEN OUT OF THE GAME FOR A WHILE. DC WILL WIN.” Bisping picks Woodley to beat Maia: “Can Maia take him down? Ultimately, the fight stays on the feet and ends with a knockout for Woodley.” Plus Cormier, Jones, Woodley and Cyborg Interviews Los Angeles – UFC TONIGHT was hosted by Kenny Florian and guest host Michael Bisping, with Karyn Bryant adding reports. The crew catches up with UFC 214 headliners Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, plus Tyron Woodley and Cris Cyborg before their title fights this weekend. UFC TONIGHT guest host Michael Bisping on who he’ll fight next: “I don’t know now. At UFC 213, I agreed to fight the winner of Whittaker vs. Romero. Robert Whittaker won and I agreed to fight him and coach The Ultimate Fighter against him, but he’s injured until next year. I’ll fight somebody. Maybe GSP, maybe Nick Diaz or someone else.” UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones: “In this fight, we have the two best light heavyweights in UFC history going at it. Cormier has to come in better shape this time. He took off round four in the last fight and he paid for it. The way he pressures Jones is important. In the first fight he really went after him. He’s got to be careful. I think he underestimated the wrestling of Jon Jones in the last fight.” Bisping on Cormier’s ability: “DC started his career at heavyweight.
    [Show full text]