The Impact of Martial Arts and Team Sports on Self-Discipline among Students of Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of developing students' self-discipline within the process of physical education through the use of martial arts. The relevance of the study is обусловлена increasing demands on students' ability to independently organize their learning activities, a growing level of procrastination in the context of digitalized educational environments, and the limited effectiveness of traditional forms of physical education in fostering self-regulation. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of martial arts training as a means of developing students' self-discipline, to analyze its impact on cognitive and behavioral components of self-regulation, and to examine the dynamics of changes in self-control, procrastination, and behavioral persistence over the course of the experimental period. Methods. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experiment involving 82 students who were assigned to three groups: a martial arts group (karate), a football group, and a control group. To assess self-discipline, the Tangney Self-Control Scale (BSCS), the Lay Procrastination Scale (GPS), and a behavioral test of monotonous activity were employed. Results. A statistically significant increase in self-control, a reduction in procrastination, and an improvement in behavioral persistence were observed in the martial arts group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The most pronounced changes were found in behavioral persistence (Δ = +6.6 min), indicating an enhanced ability to sustain goal-directed activity over time. The observed effects were of moderate to large magnitude, confirming their practical relevance. Martial arts training proved to be an effective means of developing students' self-discipline, exerting a comprehensive influence on cognitive, motivational, and behavioral components of self-regulation. The findings substantiate the value of integrating martial arts into physical education programs in higher education institutions and highlight перспективи for further research in this field.